Sand sifting star

[Tankgeek7]

I am thingking of buying a sand sifting star for my 30 gallon tank and my sand is 3 inches thick. + my tank is still cycoling. The ammonia lv. is 0.0. the alkalinity is Normal, and my Ph is 8.6.
So I am wondering if i can have a sand sifting star.

(SEND BACK A SOOS AS POSIBLE)

 

[superedge88]

The sand sifting star will slowly die with such a small amount of sand to sift, much better suited for tanks 100+ gallons...sorry.

 

[reefkrazy]

I never had a problem with it in a 46 with about the same amount of live sand. as long as all the parameters are in check, just make sure you acclumate it slowly

 

[Tankgeek7]

Oh one more thing, how deep does the sand have to be.

 

[frederickk]

A good 4'' is quite good. I use to have that in my 77g and never had any problem with my sand sifting star .

 

[scottwhitson]

I also tend to agree that they will slowly starve to death I had one in a 55 with about a 3 inch sandbed and it lived and looked good for about a year then started to slowly get smaller and smaller eventually starving to death.

 

[ionredline0260]

I would say yes try it if your sand bed was more mature but it seems that it's brand new am I correct? if this is the case then I wouldn't try it.

 

[AZDesertRat]

Don't even think about it! A sand sifter was the stupidest mistake I ever mad in over 17 years of reefkeeping. Th turn you sand into a lifeless desert and then starve. You don't have anywhere enough room to even try one. My well established 100G was wiped out completely in 2 months.

 

[virginiadiver69]

DesertRat, does that go for sand sifters in general? I have just installed a DSB and am considering some sand sifters(gobies etc). I want to keep the SURFACE clean without decimating any/all life within the sand itself. What is your suggestion?

 

[EdKruzel]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9558639#post9558639 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by virginiadiver69
DesertRat, does that go for sand sifters in general? I have just installed a DSB and am considering some sand sifters(gobies etc). I want to keep the SURFACE clean without decimating any/all life within the sand itself. What is your suggestion?

Yes, the term sand sifter is poor at best, it should be sand fauna predator. For proper maintenance of a DSB you want to include a plain brown cucumber, Cerith, Nassarius snails and worms generally sold in a "Sand Re-Charge" kit.

 

[AZDesertRat]

I prefer cerith and nassarius snails and a fighting conch myself.