Best sand cleaning invert

[Orm Embar]

I will add this - I was getting some cyano on my sandbed only (SSB, 1-1.5"). I thought that it was due to decomposing detritus and not enough nassarius (LFS hasn't had that many recently). A bunch of manual stirring, and it has resolved without issue or other action. I'm adding this because this reinforces my belief that you need a turned-over sandbed to work well, and that I personally need more nassarius. They do knock frag plugs over, which is a pain in the rear (small rocks with frag plugs glued onto them are ok). I do have 2 cucumbers as well. No sand starfish aside from a brittle who roams everywhere.

 

[BigAsh]

One approach, especially on a thin substrate, is to just stir up the sand occasionally. The tank will get cloudy but will settle out quickly. That way you preserve most of your sand fauna, maybe feed you corals, and you don't have to worry about cleaner animals starving. Less fun but maybe more practical.

 

[Flameback Pair]

One approach, especially on a thin substrate, is to just stir up the sand occasionally. The tank will get cloudy but will settle out quickly. That way you preserve most of your sand fauna, maybe feed you corals, and you don't have to worry about cleaner animals starving. Less fun but maybe more practical.

+1 no cleaners starving

 

[sheepdog76]

Don't they prefer cooler water? And eventually get large.

My horseshoe crab is in my reef tank that stays 79-80. Yes they do grow same as the ones you find on the beach. However they grow very slow. Mine has been about 2 in for months . I was told would take it about two three years to out grow my tank.