sand stirrers and sifters

[xsdbs]

hello, i was just reading the thread about mushrooms from stuccodude and it was mentioned that a sifting starfish is not good for his tank of 130 gallons. i am wondering why, and what would be best used to stir the sand. my lfs had told me it would be a good addition so now i am confused. are sifting clams also bad for a reef tank ( i have 5 in my 150 gallon that is about 9 months old. thanks

 

[rafa316]

I have nassarius Snails in mu tank to help stir the sand

 

[ttomkat1]

Sand stars are blamed for eating all the benifical organisms in your sand bed. Although they are great for mixing your sand bed, people try to find other means to accoplish this and not risk it with the sand star.

---ttomkat1

 

[GTR]

I think they can pretty much eat everything in the sandbed in a short time. From then on they just keep looking for something else to eat as they waste away.

SteveU

 

[awestruck]

I love sandsifting starfish but their mortality rate in captivity is extremely high. Truly, they should be left in the oceans. Astrea and cerith snails do a great job of cleaning and moving the sand.

 

[ahullsb]

Buy a cucumber. A tigertail. I am about to do the same!