need advice on sand cleaner!!

[gohabsgo]

Hi guys!! My 82 gal tank has been up since mai and my sand is in need of a clean up crew.I have another tank with crush coral so i just vacuum,but i am not very used to having sand,and dont want to be talk into buying(Lfs)some star that is going to starve later!!!Can you point me to good critter!!!Thanks

 

[cedarreef]

Don't go for the sand sifting stars. I think it's a good start that you know this already. You could get some hermit crabs, other kinds of crabs, maybe a peppermint shrimp. You could look at some of the cleaner packages here for ideas. It's up to you if you want to buy it from here or your lfs, though. Hope this helps!

 

[rldavisou]

Nassarius snails are great for cleaning the sand bed and keeping it stirred up. There are two varieties, I use the big ones. All mine are >3 years old and work hard!

 

[pembro2]

i picked up a sleeper banded goby, and does an awsome , awsome job

 

[janscott23]

Originally Posted by pembro2
http:///forum/post/2724453
i picked up a sleeper banded goby, and does an awsome , awsome job
Sleeper Gobys are one of my favirout fish and do a excellent job of cleaning the sand, BUT if you have course sand in your tank I would say NO.
I just had my second gold headed sleeper goby die this morning I did a autopsy on him and found 3 large grains of sand lodged in his digestive system and it took about 6 weeks for him to starve to death.
I have bahama oolite and black ivary coast sand in my tank and this sand was to course for them to digest.
Not trying to scare you away from goby's I had my pair for over a year and probebly the best fish I'v ever had.

 

[chroniccoral35]

Yeah I wouldn't go with a Sand Sifting Starfish, I still have mine that was originally in my 15 and now in my 28g, he has been alive for 8 months and I am so shocked he is still alive...so I can't just get rid of him :/

 

[gohabsgo]

So today i went to the lfs and pick up 5 nassarius ,but they are so small i can't belive they a going to keep all that sand clean!!!Almost bought golden head sleeper goby but i finaly choose the midas,i was affraid that i'll put sand everywhere.Tank you guys keep the good ideas coming!!

 

[pembro2]

Originally Posted by Janscott23
http:///forum/post/2724592
Sleeper Gobys are one of my favirout fish and do a excellent job of cleaning the sand, BUT if you have course sand in your tank I would say NO.
I just had my second gold headed sleeper goby die this morning I did a autopsy on him and found 3 large grains of sand lodged in his digestive system and it took about 6 weeks for him to starve to death.
I have bahama oolite and black ivary coast sand in my tank and this sand was to course for them to digest.
Not trying to scare you away from goby's I had my pair for over a year and probebly the best fish I'v ever had.

i have really fine sand to,one time it looked like he was choking..was breathing heavy..but he turned out fine..hes eating like crazy..when im feeding the tank hes right up there with my clowns..they both seem to be affraid of him tho lol..and this morning he had a run in with my CBS..lol