Too small for goby????

[peppie]

Doing some homework for my fish wish list. I am building an AIO 20 gal reef tank the show part is 15 gal approx. 18x12. I plan to use 1 1/2" of sand for the base. Is this enough space to keep a small sand sifting goby? If so what typ would you suggest. I am concerned the sand will foul the water if it is not kept clean. Will I still have to clean the sand if I have a goby? I will also keep a clown fish and another small reef safe fish, and a small clean up crew.
I had someone tell me that this is not enough room to keep a sand sifter. Not to say this not good advice. I just dont know. Please help. Thanks

 

[SDahmer]

I wouldn't advise getting a sifter goby for that size of a tank. I think all of them get to at LEAST 3" and they tend to cover coral in sand, and in a 15g that would probably get bad. You could instead use nassarius snails to keep your sand bed stirred and clean. The only time you would ever need to clean your sand bed is if detritus piles up on it.

 

[peppie]

Thanks for the info. I will now rethink my fish list. The sand cleaning will be for the nassarius snails

 

[the_rider]

You can look into the two spot goby that get 2.5" max ... That will be the best and only sandsifter that could go in a 20g IMO.