Bottom feeders.

[Grthomas11]

Hello all. I need some expert opinions. I have a 37 gallon fowlr right now. I plan on getting corals as soon as I upgrade my lighting. My question is, I have Hawaiian black sand as my substrate and want to know what bottom feeders would be a good choice. I had a sand sifter starfish which didn't work out well. Not really interested in crabs much. Is there a goby that could handle the larger size substrate? What other clean up crew is recommended? Thank you for your help.

 

[shakacuz]

nassarius snails, conches (tiger or fighting), pitho crabs, cerith snails are all bottom dwellers/sand sifters.

diamond goby, i believe is a sifter

 

[AydenLincoln]

I love my diamond goby just make sure to feed them meaty foods/mix food into the sand.

 

[Grthomas11]

I love my diamond goby just make sure to feed them meaty foods/mix food into the sand.

The gravel size won't bother them?

 

[Rick's Reviews]

nassarius snails, conches (tiger or fighting), pitho crabs, cerith snails are all bottom dwellers/sand sifters.

diamond goby, i believe is a sifter

Or strawberry lipped conch pistol shrimp?
Why not crabs @Grthomas11

 

[shakacuz]

Or strawberry lipped conch

tiger conch = strawberry lipped conch. so many hobby level names that we all get so confused! haha

 

[Grthomas11]

Or strawberry lipped conch pistol shrimp?
Why not crabs @Grthomas11

I do have a conch but he never goes in the gravel bed like that. Just stays on top. Are crabs reef safe?

 

[shakacuz]

Are crabs reef safe?

some are, some are not! generally dwarf blue legged hermit, and keys red hermit crabs are reef safe.

 

[Grthomas11]

Also, how does one get a "well established gravel bed"? I have power heads that stir up everything that lands on the bottom and should I not vacuum the gravel?

 

[shakacuz]

Also, how does one get a "well established gravel bed"? I have power heads that stir up everything that lands on the bottom and should I not vacuum the gravel?

time will provide you with an "established sandbed" as well a beneficial bacteria population. if the power heads stir everything up, either lower the strength or aim it upward so the sand isn't being blown around. untouched sandbeds are what is beneficial, but do change in color overtime so you probably will not have that pristine white sand everyone likes.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Crabs do drag shells around... Which agitate sandbed lol, I love crabs

 

[Grthomas11]

some are, some are not! generally dwarf blue legged hermit, and keys red hermit crabs are

I have these 2 guys. They are fun to watch.