So, I got a Diamond Goby...

[NedFlounders]

I got him because of their inherent sand sifting ability. However this dude is making the water milky from all the sediment he's kicking up. I imagine it'll eventually clear up when he's sifted the sand a million times, but in the meantime, will all the stirred sediment affect the other fish and coral?

 

[billdogg]

If you notice sediment collecting on a coral, a turkey baster will take it right off.

hth

 

[dendrite]

I got him because of their inherent sand sifting ability. However this dude is making the water milky from all the sediment he's kicking up. I imagine it'll eventually clear up when he's sifted the sand a million times, but in the meantime, will all the stirred sediment affect the other fish and coral?

I wouldn't count on him getting tired or the water clearing up. That's what these fish do, like to do, and continue to do. Finally after constant uncovering my brain corals and scolymia on the tank bottom the only way I could get my goby out was to fish him out with a tiny hook and bait next to his burrow. He now resides happily in a friends FOWLR tank. That's one of the fish I would never again put in my tank

 

[CuzzA]

Yep. Don't stress. It will clear eventually and one day you'll be saying he's the top dog and most valuable member of the clean up crew. I would never have a tank without one.

As far as hurting fish and corals, as long as it's not excessive and burying corals they will be fine. Think about what happens on a natural reef. Storms come in and stir up everything, silting out the whole area. The thing you want to mimic is the currents and tides that eventually clear it up. Powerheads and turkey basters.

 

[CuzzA]

I wouldn't count on him getting tired or the water clearing up. That's what these fish do, like to do, and continue to do. Finally after constant uncovering my brain corals and scolymia on the tank bottom the only way I could get my goby out was to fish him out with a tiny hook and bait next to his burrow. He now resides happily in a friends FOWLR tank. That's one of the fish I would never again put in my tank

Corals on a sand bed don't mix well with them, but it can be done. I had many brains, plates, etc. They are creatures of habit and will typically excavate the same areas. Those areas should be free of sand dwelling corals. Another tip is to place those corals on pvc risers. This way they don't get buried.

 

[CuzzA]

I also made a tool to deal with excessive sand shifting. I didn't have to use it all the time, but it works well. Pick up a driveway marker. Cut the reflector off and the fiberglass rod to the desired size. Then take a thin flat piece of plastic or acrylic (cut to the desired size and sand down sharp edges) and drill a couple holes and zip tie it to the rod. A little epoxy will help to keep it secure.

It's a cheap and easy solution to move sand around while keeping your hands dry.

 

[NedFlounders]

oh man, great idea on the tool...especially for a deep tank like mine (36" deep). Thanks for all the info!