Looking for a good sand shifter!

[Los01]

I'm looking for a good sand shifter for my 10g nano. I already have 5 Nassarius Snail (Nassarius vibex) snails and they don't seem to be doing anything but hiding.

I had 1 Tonga Nassarius Snails - (nassarius distortus) and all he did was run up the glass and eat all my little snails. (Yes, I am sure he was a Tonga Nassarius Snails, he looked just like this >> http://www.vividaquariums.com/p-6502-nassarius-snail.aspx)

Any suggestions?

 

[Betta132]

Your nassarius snails are at work, they're just moving under the sand where you can't see.
A shrimpgoby will sift the top of the sand and move it around a bit, and if you get a small pistol shrimp for him, that'll provide some stirring as well.
Most exclusive sand movers are too large for a 10g, with nassarius snails being the only easily purchase-able option. Worms and such will help, of course. But really, unless your sandbed is rather deep, you don't need to be too concerned about moving the sand.

 

[Los01]

Thank you for replying. I will look into the shrimpgoby thing.

 

[brettandlyndis]

A fighting conch will help with consuming detritus and algae on the sandbed. and they are neat to watch.

 

[Umbra]

A fighting conch will help with consuming detritus and algae on the sandbed. and they are neat to watch.

I second this, I prefer them over the nass snails which only seem to clean up meaty substances.

 

[thedasher]

A diamond goby is the absolute best sand sifter. They constantly work on cleaning the sand.

 

[Los01]

Where is there a good place to get one for those fighting conch? Won't they be too big for my small 10g nano?

 

[Genera]

A diamond goby is the absolute best sand sifter. They constantly work on cleaning the sand.

They aren't cleaning the sand. They are sifting through it for life (worms, pods, etc.) but just happen to sift out diatoms, algae, etc. They also get sand all over the rocks and coral. If you have a deep sand bed, sand sifting gobies are a death wish. If you have a sand bed of 1.5in or less and don't mind sand everywhere, sand sifting gobies are great.

 

[Los01]

OK, thanks.

 

[Calappidae]

I wouldn't go fighting conch, or diamond goby. This is only a 10 gallon nano tank and wouldn't have enough surface area for the two animals.

What you have now, is for the most part what you'll get as options. Anything else grows too large (conches, sand sifting gobies), starves quickly and needs open surface area (SSstarfish, Horseshoe crab, twin spot goby, sand sifting crabs), or is predatory to your other snails.

Pistol shrimp are great too, however you must be cautious with low to the ground coral as they can be buried in sand. I've had 4 lb boulders completely buried in my tank by mine.

Won't they be too big for my small 10g nano?

Correct.

Well, they can be housed in a 10g.. but assuming atleast 50% of the surface area is covered in rock and the sand bed isn't all that deep, it wouldn't be suitable.

 

[dbg]

I am also looking for something to help clean my sand and I read that the conch snails are good but I could not find them on any on-line sites and my LFS advised me not to get one because they said they are too destructive. Any thought? New to saltwater aquariums, established tank with a few corals and 2 anemones.

 

[johnike]

John at Reefcleaners has them usually.
His packages are all free shipping as well. Use 'reefclub' in checkout for an extra 10%.
http://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/florida-fighting-conch

Agreed though, not for smaller tanks.

 

[dbg]

I have a 90 gallon. I was thinking 2 would be ok. Is that too many?

 

[johnike]

I would think not.

 

[Calappidae]

I have a 90 gallon. I was thinking 2 would be ok. Is that too many?

If there is some open areas of sand without rock, and it's around 2 inches tall, then it should be perfect.

 

[dbg]

Thank you for the information. I am really enjoying this forum. I read about things and then I am still not sure if I am doing the right thing.

 

[snorvich]

I second this, I prefer them over the nass snails which only seem to clean up meaty substances.

I have both and would not change that.

 

[Genera]

What about small/ish cucumbers? For example Holothuria Impatiens (a common Atlantic cucumber).

 

[johnike]

What about small/ish cucumbers? For example Holothuria Impatiens (a common Atlantic cucumber).

Great addition IMO, I have two large black ones that do a great job.
Lots of info around about them nuking tanks if stressed or dead but I've never seen it myself.

 

[Jay_R]

A diamond goby is the absolute best sand sifter. They constantly work on cleaning the sand.

+1 Best investment I made for my sand.. This fellow does the entire tank non stop, not just one location. This is a must have IMO!