Need sand sifter suggestions

[psusocr]

I only have about a 1-1.5 inch sandbed in my 300 gallon reef tank but my sand is getting annoying to stir everyday to keep white. Can someone reccomend 3-6 sand sifting gobies that will get along to do this job for me.

Thanks!

 

[HanoverFist]

Nassarius snails

 

[psusocr]

Nassarius snails

I have 300 of them, their not fast enough and i hate the look of them.

 

[Gogandantess]

Gold head sleeper ... but they do spit a lot of sand here and there.

 

[alton]

I have one diamond goby in my 300. The good part he does not swim with sand. He love to make caves though

 

[jaklos]

Nasarius snails from what I know u should touch ur sandbed and if it's getting funky you need more flow

 

[Toddrtrex]

Since you have a shallow sandbed, why don't you "gravel vac" it with each water change? All of my tanks have shallow beds, and I have been doing that for about 20 years now -- sand stays nice and white

 

[snorvich]

Since you have a shallow sandbed, why don't you "gravel vac" it with each water change? All of my tanks have shallow beds, and I have been doing that for about 20 years now -- sand stays nice and white

Great idea and very effective.

 

[psusocr]

Since you have a shallow sandbed, why don't you "gravel vac" it with each water change? All of my tanks have shallow beds, and I have been doing that for about 20 years now -- sand stays nice and white

This i can do, its just a real pain with an in-wall 31" deep tank, and it makes one heck of a mess!

As for flow, beleive me i have enough of that, increased flow or not im still going to get algae, coraline etc.

 

[Toddrtrex]

Can't speak about the tank depth, but as for it being a mess -- IME, that mess goes away the more you do it.

 

[MCCOOL]

I agree with todd, I do the same. That, in conjunction with a few wrasses that sleep in the sand, do the trick for me.

 

[dkanka]

I second either the golden headed or diamond sleeper gobys. They do a great job stirring up the sand. Just make sure they have enough to eat.

 

[Sitarangi]

a couple sea cucumbers, sand sifting stars, spider conchs, and a nice pair of sleeper gobies should take care of it. I'd do Tiger Wardis.

 

[Bernie21]

Ive had several Sand sifting Gobies trying to find a beautiful one and an effective one.

My favorite looking one is the Gold Head Sleeper Goby, but they put sand everywhere and over all corals. There has not been one that hasn't yet. They often die from starvation due to a lack of micro fauna in a shallow sand bed.

I would highly recommend a Tiger Watchmen Goby...they don't really lift the sand as they like to stay on it. And so far, they have been voracious eaters. They are also quite colorful and interactive.

Sorry if I got carried away.

 

[psusocr]

Thanks for all the opinions!! ill let everyone know what i decide to do....hmmmmm

 

[ssavader]

Gravel vac?

Gravel vac?

Todd, I used to gravel vac my cichlid tank since it had tiny pebbles, but how are you vacuuming your sand without sucking so much of it up and creating a sand storm?