Cleaning question - reef tank with triggers

[Winschuc]

So, my tank has transitioned over the past year (give or take a few months). I've added a blue throat and a Niger trigger to my reef. So far, they're great with all other fish (tangs), but my clean up crew is pretty much gone (not unexpected).

The question is, how does everyone keep their sandbeds and rockwork clean with predators?

I've got plenty of flow and do water changes, but have always relied on biodiversity to keep the sand and harder to reach areas clean. I'm not opposed to vacuuming the sand, but it's about 2" deep and had gone a few years without being disturbed.

 

[eatbreakfast]

Depending on the size and aggression of the triggers, large diamond gobies will keep the sand clean.

 

[Winschuc]

Thanks. I'll be looking into a goby this week @ my local shops.

Vacuumed the top layer of sand last night - sprayed it lightly with a turkey baster to pull up the detritus before vacuuming. It seems to have worked really well. I did find out that my Niger Trigger is adamantly against cleaning near his home. Also found out that asking the wife to let me know when he was coming near my hand added a significant amount of stress to the event. She took her job very seriously and almost screamed "he's coming back" each time... Scared the crap out of me.

 

[Squirrel_reefer]

+1 for large diamonds, even If you have to get a small guy, those fish get big quick and they're cheap!

Not to mention they are very active and are pretty funny fish to watch

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Thanks. I'll be looking into a goby this week @ my local shops.

Vacuumed the top layer of sand last night - sprayed it lightly with a turkey baster to pull up the detritus before vacuuming. It seems to have worked really well. I did find out that my Niger Trigger is adamantly against cleaning near his home. Also found out that asking the wife to let me know when he was coming near my hand added a significant amount of stress to the event. She took her job very seriously and almost screamed "he's coming back" each time... Scared the crap out of me.

I LOL'd at this. I can imagine a similar scenario in my home.

 

[Winschuc]

It was a good time... After about 3 (of the most stressful minutes on the month) she said "I'm probably not actually helping you" and left me to do battle with the fish. It was less nerve wracking to just get bit once.

 

[jsbull]

I've always heard that those gobies are hard on coral that rests in the sand. Plates, scolys and stuff like that. I am starting up a reef predator tank now and figure my lionfish and frogfish will probably eat the gobies anyway, but I'm very interested to continue to hear ideas.

 

[Winschuc]

Not sure on how they interact with coral on the sand, but I can attest to them being killed pretty quick. Put a 4" diamond goby in a few days ago. Found him beaten to death on the sand last night.

I am not completely sure what happened, but I can only suspect that one of the triggers got to him. Something also chased a large file fish out of the tank. Found it on the floor. I am beginning to suspect that one of the triggers is starting to show their aggressive side.