Surface cleaning cucumber for DSB?

[Tang Salad]

I'm considering putting a cucumber in my refugium to break down the detritus that settles there. The refugium has a 4-5" DSB of fine, live sand.

Because it's a DSB, I don't want the cucumber to bury deep and stir everything up. Anyone know which species stay on the top and just 'process' the top layer?

Thanks!

 

[alan214]

There's always the risk of a cuke spilling their insides and possibly crashing your tank. I you have to get one, get a Tigertail. They seem to be more reef-friendly.

 

[supervdl]

I have a Tigertail that's cleaning the surface of my sand.

 

[Thorium]

I also recommend looking for a tiger tail. I've got one in my tank and he cleans the upper sand layer effectively.

 

[Tang Salad]

Thanks guys. I'm looking into the tigertail.

Do they come in many different color variations?

I'll need to ID it myself at the Lfs.

Tnks

 

[Thorium]

They can be darker or lighter. You'll probably have to look at a few pictures and get the general characteristics and then look around at the stores. Mine looks like this guy:
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/impatiens.htm

 

[drummereef]

I loved my tigertail when I had him. Unfortunately he got stuck in a powerhead and I had to put him down. In a refugium, you shouldn't have a problem with that, but I'd keep an eye on it anyway.

 

[Tang Salad]

Thanks guys, helpful advice.