S
saxman
Guest
this is something that has kinda bugged me for awhile, so i'm taking the lead from Joe, and getting it off my chest:
[soapbox]
tanks do not "need" sandsifters! first, let's look at WHY these critters do what they do. they aren't simply cleaning your substrate, they are DEPLETING it of all of the beneficial fauna that lives within it, which includes worms, pods, bacteria, etc. why? because that is what these sandsifters eat, and is also why many of them fail to thrive in our aquaria. once the fauna is stripped from the substrate, these fish/starfish often succumb due to starvation as many of them don't wean onto prepared foods well enuff to survive long term.
IMHO, the belief that sifters are necessary is rooted back in the old FW tank days of vacuuming gravel, and early SW days when CC was the substrate of choice, which also requires vacuuming. BTW, CC isn't a proper substrate for sifters.
also, most sifting fish usually end up dumping the sand right where you DON'T want it, like all over your clams or coral.
critters like Nassarius and Cerith snails turn the substrate over and add the benefit of being active members of the CUC. if that isn't enuff stirring, it's pretty simple to just push your fingers into the substrate (just push, don't turn it over!).
now, it's one thing if a person wants to keep these critters because they like them and want to work to keep them thriving by ensuring their proper nutrition, but leaving them on their own just isn't responsible fishkeeping. everyone talks about keeping dragonettes irresponsibly, but IMHO, sandsifters deserve the same courtesy.
i just wanted to point this out so folks aren't keeping these critters for the wrong reasons...there, i feel better now! [/soapbox]
[soapbox]
tanks do not "need" sandsifters! first, let's look at WHY these critters do what they do. they aren't simply cleaning your substrate, they are DEPLETING it of all of the beneficial fauna that lives within it, which includes worms, pods, bacteria, etc. why? because that is what these sandsifters eat, and is also why many of them fail to thrive in our aquaria. once the fauna is stripped from the substrate, these fish/starfish often succumb due to starvation as many of them don't wean onto prepared foods well enuff to survive long term.
IMHO, the belief that sifters are necessary is rooted back in the old FW tank days of vacuuming gravel, and early SW days when CC was the substrate of choice, which also requires vacuuming. BTW, CC isn't a proper substrate for sifters.
also, most sifting fish usually end up dumping the sand right where you DON'T want it, like all over your clams or coral.
critters like Nassarius and Cerith snails turn the substrate over and add the benefit of being active members of the CUC. if that isn't enuff stirring, it's pretty simple to just push your fingers into the substrate (just push, don't turn it over!).
now, it's one thing if a person wants to keep these critters because they like them and want to work to keep them thriving by ensuring their proper nutrition, but leaving them on their own just isn't responsible fishkeeping. everyone talks about keeping dragonettes irresponsibly, but IMHO, sandsifters deserve the same courtesy.
i just wanted to point this out so folks aren't keeping these critters for the wrong reasons...there, i feel better now! [/soapbox]
