Sand Sifter Recommendations?

[EzReefs]

Hello everyone,

I am having problems keeping my sand clean. I think a good sand sifter will do the job but which one? Any recommendations are welcome!

My current stock list:
75 gallon tank

Yellow Eye Kole Tang
Leopard Wrasse
Ocellaris Clownfish
(2) Blue/Green Chromis
(3) Carberryi Anthias - Amazing fish!

I was thinking of a goby of some sort, but I am unsure which one.

 

[ericarenee]

we have a big yellow headed sand-Sifter goby.. I would say increase snails before adding a goby to clean the sand.. They are SUPER MESSY.. we have 3200 gph circulation thru our sump with a pre settling box . IF you do not move large amounts of water thru filtration your tank will become and stay cloudy with sand suspended.. the Sand sifter is a relentless digger non stop every minute the lights are on..

With the above said its a AWESOME Fish to watch full of personality ..

Snails and reduce nutrient input is your best option.. Also you can siphon most sand beds . Doing so a small area at a time when you do water changes.. nothing drastic all at once thou ..

Good Luck

 

[EzReefs]

I will have to look into the yellow headed goby. Will it be ok with my current inhabitants? I have about 600gph going through my sump.

 

[EzReefs]

I looked up the goby. I like it, I will be on the look out for one at my lfs. My sand is not fine sand, but good enough for the goby. I think the sand is heavy enough to stay towards the bottom, but I am not sure. I have plenty of snails btw.

 

[mcgyvr]

cucumbers + nassarius snails

 

[devildog999]

I love gobies and think they are a good way to go. That being said, make sure your rock is directly on the bottom. If it is not, try to get all the sand out from underneath and get it on the bottom. Gobies will move that sand and there is a good chance your scape goes the way of the Roman empire.

 

[EzReefs]

So I ended up getting a diamond goby. It cleaned my entire sand bed in a day and a half. Everything was great until I found it on my floor this morning. I guess I need to get a lid.

 

[nereefpat]

Three common problems with diamond gobies.

1. They are jumpers.

2. They can make a mess. Make sure you don't have corals in the sand, and make sure rockwork is solid.

3. They eat beneficial fauna in the sand, and then they starve.

 

[mikem101]

I put 3 conch in my 150 they keep my sand nice and clean


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[devildog999]

HAHAHAHA, probably shouldn't laugh but your wording made me giggle. Take a look at Artfully Acrylic (google it to get site). They make absolutely gorgeous lids with screen tops. They a bit pricey (a bit over 100 bucks for my 24x24 50g) but well worth it. Hey, at least it wasn't a $90 blue spot jawfish.

So I ended up getting a diamond goby. It cleaned my entire sand bed in a day and a half. Everything was great until I found it on my floor this morning. I guess I need to get a lid.

 

[kptompk]

we have a big yellow headed sand-Sifter goby.. I would say increase snails before adding a goby to clean the sand.. They are SUPER MESSY.. we have 3200 gph circulation thru our sump with a pre settling box . IF you do not move large amounts of water thru filtration your tank will become and stay cloudy with sand suspended.. the Sand sifter is a relentless digger non stop every minute the lights are on..

With the above said its a AWESOME Fish to watch full of personality ..

Snails and reduce nutrient input is your best option.. Also you can siphon most sand beds . Doing so a small area at a time when you do water changes.. nothing drastic all at once thou ..

Good Luck

I have alot of the same fish. I have a sand sifting star fish and an engineer goaby. They do a great job. I have a mixture of aragonite and crushed coral.

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[mikem101]

I have alot of the same fish. I have a sand sifting star fish and an engineer goaby. They do a great job. I have a mixture of aragonite and crushed coral.

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a sand sifting star fish? you must have a monster tank to keep that guy alive!

 

[EzReefs]

I don't think it would have starved, atleast that particular goby. It was eating plenty of mysis shrimp. I looked at Artfully Acrylic. I think I will try to make something from materials at lowes. I also looked up a sand sifting star. I don't think it will live well in my tank.

 

[mikem101]

I don't think it would have starved, atleast that particular goby. It was eating plenty of mysis shrimp. I looked at Artfully Acrylic. I think I will try to make something from materials at lowes. I also looked up a sand sifting star. I don't think it will live well in my tank.

man I have a 150 gallon and I wouldn't try to keep a sand sifting star! those guys are voracious eaters, I'm pretty sure I couldn't keep one long term!

 

[EzReefs]

The first thing I am going to do is get a good-fitting mesh lid for my tank. Then I will possibly see about getting another goby. I really liked it and the sand didn't flow through the water column. My sand is still sparkling white! I want to keep it that way!