mazzymadde
Member
What are some tips for keeping sand not only clean, but keeping it looking flat.
Sand.
- Thread starter mazzymadde
- Start date
reefstar22
Member
I use sand sifting stars, I love gobies, but make sure you dont get one that swims because it will dump sand on your corals and REALLY piss them off....Go with stars...it will make your live alot easier in the long run... or case two you can have a THIN sand bed...and flatten it yourself every view days.
alyssia
Active Member
Originally Posted by Reefstar22
I use sand sifting stars, I love gobies, but make sure you dont get one that swims because it will dump sand on your corals and REALLY piss them off....Go with stars...it will make your live alot easier in the long run... or case two you can have a THIN sand bed...and flatten it yourself every view days.
Sand sifting stars are a very bad idea. They almost ALWAYS starve to death unless they are in very large systems.
I use sand sifting stars, I love gobies, but make sure you dont get one that swims because it will dump sand on your corals and REALLY piss them off....Go with stars...it will make your live alot easier in the long run... or case two you can have a THIN sand bed...and flatten it yourself every view days.
Sand sifting stars are a very bad idea. They almost ALWAYS starve to death unless they are in very large systems.
zanoshanox
Active Member
Gobies are hte best alternatives for ridding diatoms and keeping the sandbed clean. Pink spotted's are awesome, as are gold headed sleepers. Diamonds are alright too, but are big time swimmers and in my experience are much more of jumpers than the rest.
reefstar22
Member
Originally Posted by alyssia
Sand sifting stars are a very bad idea. They almost ALWAYS starve to death unless they are in very large systems.
I've never had a problem with them. If you have a decent pod population then your fine. Or case to you can buy pods now days
.... over time if you have the proper set up your system will produce them and they'll stay alive.... On a side note...I hear all the time that stars dye ...from lack of food... this how ever is not true...most times people do not take care of there sand correctly before they put it in there system..and that is what kills the majority of stars in house hold tanks.
Sand sifting stars are a very bad idea. They almost ALWAYS starve to death unless they are in very large systems.
I've never had a problem with them. If you have a decent pod population then your fine. Or case to you can buy pods now days
.... over time if you have the proper set up your system will produce them and they'll stay alive.... On a side note...I hear all the time that stars dye ...from lack of food... this how ever is not true...most times people do not take care of there sand correctly before they put it in there system..and that is what kills the majority of stars in house hold tanks.
reefstar22
Member
Also he is in austraila something tells me he can just go to the beach and get new inverts all the time
Luuuuuuucky!
Luuuuuuucky!
mazzymadde
Member
lol, wish i could just pick em up and place them in the tank, but it anit that simple. Water is like 20-22 c.
alyssia
Active Member
Originally Posted by Reefstar22
I've never had a problem with them. If you have a decent pod population then your fine. Or case to you can buy pods now days .... over time if you have the proper set up your system will produce them and they'll stay alive.... On a side note...I hear all the time that stars dye ...from lack of food... this how ever is not true...most times people do not take care of there sand correctly before they put it in there system..and that is what kills the majority of stars in house hold tanks.
How long have you had the stars?
I've never had a problem with them. If you have a decent pod population then your fine. Or case to you can buy pods now days
.... over time if you have the proper set up your system will produce them and they'll stay alive.... On a side note...I hear all the time that stars dye ...from lack of food... this how ever is not true...most times people do not take care of there sand correctly before they put it in there system..and that is what kills the majority of stars in house hold tanks.How long have you had the stars?
nasovlam
Member
One of my favorites for sand cleaning /stirring & general scavenging are nassarius snails. They are long lived and do a great job burrowing around in the sand looking for food. It is great to see them coming up out of the sand bed when they detect food around.
Please note that these comments are referring to Nassarius vibex NOT Nassarius obsoleta. I have not kept obsoleta -- obsoleta are collected along the Atlantic coast from places as far north as New Jersey, possibly farther north. I have heard that they are not hardy long term in tropical reefs and will die off before too long. A lot of these are being sold on E-bay. I don't know if they burrow like vibex.
Please note that these comments are referring to Nassarius vibex NOT Nassarius obsoleta. I have not kept obsoleta -- obsoleta are collected along the Atlantic coast from places as far north as New Jersey, possibly farther north. I have heard that they are not hardy long term in tropical reefs and will die off before too long. A lot of these are being sold on E-bay. I don't know if they burrow like vibex.
reefstar22
Member
Originally Posted by alyssia
How long have you had the stars?
My latest tank is 6 months old, I've had the stars in since it was 2 months old. Before that I had a reef up and running for years...I've always kept sand sifting stars.. they are cheap so in the rare case they do die...its not going to hurt your pocket book or your tank Plus they are non aggressive ...I have never seen them knock anything over or disrupt anything.
I think they are perfect for keeping a sand bed in check. Just from what i've observed. But yes you are correct if you do not have the proper food they may pass away. So for a few months as stated you may have to keep it flat yourself You did how ever make a vaild point...I myself have NOT run a tank smaller than 100 gallons... If someone is running a tank smaller than 75 gallons may have an issue with keeping them alive due to food. Very good point out.
How long have you had the stars?
My latest tank is 6 months old, I've had the stars in since it was 2 months old. Before that I had a reef up and running for years...I've always kept sand sifting stars.. they are cheap so in the rare case they do die...its not going to hurt your pocket book or your tank
Plus they are non aggressive ...I have never seen them knock anything over or disrupt anything. I think they are perfect for keeping a sand bed in check. Just from what i've observed. But yes you are correct if you do not have the proper food they may pass away. So for a few months as stated you may have to keep it flat yourself
You did how ever make a vaild point...I myself have NOT run a tank smaller than 100 gallons... If someone is running a tank smaller than 75 gallons may have an issue with keeping them alive due to food. Very good point out.