need a sand sifter?

socalracer

Member
my tank has been up for over a year and about six months ago i added some more sand giving me a 3-5inch sand bed depending on the area. the sand against the glass is visibly "dirty" just wondering if i need some kind of organism to stir up the sand to keep from getting any pockets of waste.....curently i only have hermits and snails(margarita snails mostly) any suggestions? o its a 100g tank
 
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rattler739

Guest
Go with nassarius snails and a sandsifter star or two. I have one ss star and 3 nass in my 14g and my sand is spotless
 
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essop3

Guest
Those stars will starve to death in a tank after they eat all the beneficial creatures.
Nassarius snails and fighting conchs are what I swear by.
 

ophiura

Active Member
I don't recommend a sand sifter star which is doing what you DON'T want done (eating beneficial microfauna). Most will starve in smaller tanks (under 100+ gallons) in a year or so (commonly thought to be predation - but is not). Generally they do not eat detritus or extra food and can not be spot fed. A poor choice, IMO, for this task. In addition, they frequently will not get right near the glass.
I definitely suggest nassarius or other sand sifting snails. A sand sifting cucumber, depending on sand size, might be beneficial.
 

1journeyman

Active Member
As Ophiura explained, Sand Sifting Creatures will eat the beneficial microfauna. That's a bad thing. Sand stirrers are ok.
The sand next to the glass will appear "dirty". Light feeds algae in the thin layer of water between the glass and sand bed.
 
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jamparty

Guest
I'd go with the nassarius and a diamond goby. Both are extremely hard workers.
 
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