Sand Sifter?

[howardj]

I have a 12 JBJ:
3 Astrea
5 Nassarius
1 Scarlet Leg Hermit
1 Blue Leg Hermit
3 Turbo snails(?? [Hitch Hikers])
Boxer Crab
Flat worm (Hitch Hiker

)
Bristle worm (Hitch Hiker

)
And 1 VERY small red/white snail.. I don't even know if it's still in there.. something probably ate it, it was so small.
Red/Brown algae gets on the sand in front when the lights are on for 8+ hours.
Tank has been set up for 5 months.
The snails/hermits don't clean it up much when the lights are on.. but something gets it at night.
Is there anything that will clean it up during the day?
And, Should I get more Clean-Up Crew?

 

[miaheatlvr]

Originally Posted by HowardJ
I have a 12 JBJ:
3 Astrea
5 Nassarius
1 Scarlet Leg Hermit
1 Blue Leg Hermit
3 Turbo snails(?? [Hitch Hikers])
Boxer Crab
Flat worm (Hitch Hiker

)
Bristle worm (Hitch Hiker

)
And 1 VERY small red/white snail.. I don't even know if it's still in there.. something probably ate it, it was so small.
Red/Brown algae gets on the sand in front when the lights are on for 8+ hours.
Tank has been set up for 5 months.
The snails/hermits don't clean it up much when the lights are on.. but something gets it at night.
Is there anything that will clean it up during the day?
And, Should I get more Clean-Up Crew?
Dont leave those lights on for more than the 8hrs,, Keep up with you water changes and please do not over feed, I feed my fish once every other day, AGAIN if applicable think about a good sand sifter EA, Diamond Goby,, also you can throw in a few more Nassarius snails..

 

[howardj]

Thanks for the quick response.
My tank isn't big enough for a diamond goby, is it?
I have 2 clarkii

 

[miaheatlvr]

I think you can get by with a small diamond goby or bullet goby,, the trick to it will be to get it to eat ASAP because of the SAND volume in your 12.. They are constantly sifting and looking to eat some worms in the sand.. I think you will be alright with a small one..

 

[ophiura]

I personally don't care for gobies as they defeat the purpose of a deep sand bed (or let's say any functional sand bed)...as they eat the creatures you want to cultivate. They may also end up making a smaller tank into a snow globe. But it is personal preference, though I think it would be pushing it in your tank size.
I would go with nassarius snails, personally, and trying to get to the source of the problem.
BTW, your bristeworm hitch hiker is common and nearly all are beneficial...odds are your flatworm is a different story.