Sand sifters

jeff240gallon

jeff240gallon

New member
I know sand sifters, such as a diamond watchman goby can ruin and kill micro fauna/bacteria/etc. in sand bed, but how bad are they really? I have a three inch sand bed in my 240 gallon. I love the diamond but if it's really as bad as people say, then I won't get it.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It's as bad as people say :thumbsup: They'll create near constant sand storms, obliterate the beneficial fauna in the SB and then typically starve to death.
 
I love them. I have 2 diamond watchman in my tank sifting special grade caribsea. I guess it depends on what sand you have, but the two watchman gobies keep my sand aerated and looking clean.

Lastly, they sift all day and go for pe mysis frequently
 
Sand sifters

SoloChromis said:
It's as bad as people say :thumbsup: They'll create near constant sand storms, obliterate the beneficial fauna in the SB and then typically starve to death.
Click to expand...



Couldn't disagree more. I have kept two pars of diamonds two separate times. They move the sand constantly, but will not decimate life in the sandbed. People see them chomping sand and assume they are clearing it out, but I always have plenty of spaghetti worms, etc despite having the gobies.

It helps with sandstorms if you use a larger grain size of sand like carbsea special grade. Combining a diamond goby with special grade sand is the secret recipe for sparkling clean white sand all the time.
 
SoloChromis said:
It's as bad as people say :thumbsup: They'll create near constant sand storms, obliterate the beneficial fauna in the SB and then typically starve to death.
Click to expand...

As stated by Lobster, I whole heartedly disagree. Diamond gobies are some of the best cleaners. They don't dig deep, stay at bottom(gold headed sleepers tend to napalm corals), readily eat prepared foods as supplements, stay on the smaller side, and aren't territorrial.
These along with nassarius snails and a TT cucumber make up the best sand sifting crew I think we can have in an aquarium.
Sure, at first you may have some sediment/detritus filter into the water column, but soon the small dust plumes will be gone thanks to effecient skimmer and removal from sump
 
I have one in my 125 and he moves sand constantly but not to the point to creat sandstorm. In fact I don't see any sand in the water column. All he does is sifting sand and dig can E for himself to hide in. I like him a lot and he keeps my sand bed clean.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Great point about the sand size. I had an opportunity recently to get a Diamond Goby but the owner warned me about him making the water cloudy. It never occurred to me the sand size would be a factor. I'm using CaribSea Arag-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand, which has a 1-2mm sand size (1" deep). I'm beginning to think he might have been just fine with my sand bed.
 
I used to have a diamond goby and I loved him... Believe me if I'm convinced enough I'd get another one in a second.
my tank will be around until I can't physically take care of it anymore.. So I'm worried about long term results. Please, if you can provide proof I'd love to see it cause like I said I miss my diamond, and I need a reason to get another haha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I had one who was awesome. I think saying it will starve after it depletes the sand bed's micro fauna is BS. Mine ate EVERYTHING from pellets, all frozen, flakes, freeze dried, and whatever. I eventually gave him to a friend because I like frags on the sand bed.
 
I read all of the horror stories about them but decided to give it a try and purchased a diamond watchman goby 1 month ago. My tank was cloudy for the first few days but has since settled down. He is doing great and my sand has never looked better. I'm not concerned with keeping a live sand bed and most of my corals are mid level or higher in my tank. I love having an active fish at the bottom of my tank. He has a great personality and gets along with all of my fish. After a week, he starting eating pellets and mysis. He will now actually swim up to the middle of the tank when I am feeding.

I just read the column in reefkeeping though and now have a question and/or potential concern. It says their best chance for long term survival is to be kept in pairs. Can anyone share success stories of keeping just one vs. a mated pair? Not sure I can do anything to pair mine up now.
 
jeff240gallon said:
I used to have a diamond goby and I loved him... Believe me if I'm convinced enough I'd get another one in a second.
my tank will be around until I can't physically take care of it anymore.. So I'm worried about long term results. Please, if you can provide proof I'd love to see it cause like I said I miss my diamond, and I need a reason to get another haha.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...



Provide proof of what?
 
I was thinking of getting one, but I have that fine oolite sugar type sand and was afraid of constant storms.
 
jeff240gallon said:
That they don't kill live sand
Click to expand...

What? Are you serious?! Is your sand 1/4" deep? That's about as far down as they get. I highly, highly doubt any beneficial bacteria is consumed by them. Microfauna, sure, they are sifting, but beneficial bacteria or anything of concern, no way.

In most people's aquariums, we have way more than enough beneficial stuff than you could ever imagine, between sand, rocks, corals, and all the filtration.

Ever had a fish die? Within hrs, it's being massively reducded. Within a day, most of the fish will be consumed by CuC, bacteria, microfauna, etc.

You'll be fine.
 
jeff240gallon said:
That they don't kill live sand
Click to expand...



Tried to take pictures a while back but they never came out. But you'll just have to take my word that even though a pair of them worked the sand in my 90 constantly, I could still see tentacles of spaghetti worms all over the place, and plenty of creepy crawlies up against the glass on the sides and bottom of the tank.

And even if they did kill live sand... Who cares? What good is live sand if it's dirty and unsightly?

Nobody gives tangs crap for "decimating the life on their live rock".
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Starfish Questions?
Replies
4
Views
565
shred5
shred5
E
What's Old is New Again
Replies
2
Views
91
Uncle99
Uncle99
J
Sleeper banded goby
Replies
1
Views
388
shred5
shred5
vlangel
75g Lurking danger and Leafy Seadragons
8 9 10
Replies
189
Views
8K
vlangel
vlangel
revclyburn
I think it's time
2 3
Replies
43
Views
4K
griss
griss
Back
Top