Inverts to stir sand bed

[Gtinnel]

I was wanting to know what inverts people prefer for stirring their sand bed. I have mostly been looking at sand sifting starfish or a few conchs. What are some recommended inverts to do this job, my tank is a 125 with a sand bed that is several inches deep.

 

[elorablue]

Nassarius and ceriths for in the sand, conchs for the surface.

 

[Sharkbait19]

My tiger pistol shrimp does a great job, but does mess up corals and rocks that are on the sandbed, so be careful.

 

[Uzidaisies]

Not sure what is best for you, but I know Nassarius and Cerith snails both burrow into the sand.

 

[GHOSTLY]

right off the bat id say nass snails, sand sifting stars, tiger pistols (or any pistol shrimp), conches, and sand sifting gobies

 

[Gtinnel]

My tiger pistol shrimp does a great job, but does mess up corals and rocks that are on the sandbed, so be careful.

I was trying to avoid anything that would disturb corals, that why I was ruling out any fish that sift through the sand. Doesn't pistol shrimp normally just dig a home and then stop going through the sand? I obviously don't know much about any of the sand dwelling inverts.

 

[GHOSTLY]

I was trying to avoid anything that would disturb corals, that why I was ruling out any fish that sift through the sand. Doesn't pistol shrimp normally just dig a home and then stop going through the sand? I obviously don't know much about any of the sand dwelling inverts.

if thats the case then sand sifting stars, snails, and conches would do a terrific job!

 

[SlugSnorter]

right off the bat id say nass snails, sand sifting stars, tiger pistols (or any pistol shrimp), conches, and sand sifting gobies

stars and gobies can eat through sand life pretty fast and then die

 

[Sharkbait19]

I was trying to avoid anything that would disturb corals, that why I was ruling out any fish that sift through the sand. Doesn't pistol shrimp normally just dig a home and then stop going through the sand? I obviously don't know much about any of the sand dwelling inverts.

They like to dig a burrow, but they never seem to be finished. They are always redecorating and playing with the sandbed. Very fun, but may flip some frags along the way.

 

[Gtinnel]

I've had a lot of the small ceriths in the past but rarely did I see them in the sand bed, although to be fair I'm not sure exactly where they went during the day. Are certain types of ceriths more likely to bury into the sand bed than others?
I did order a bunch of nassarius snails once too but unfortunately they didn't survive the shipping and I never bothered to re order any more.
Do conchs stay at the surface of the sand or bury down into it?

 

[Gtinnel]

stars and gobies can eat through sand life pretty fast and then die

I had read that about stars, but it makes me wonder if one in a 125g that is several years old could support it? I also read that they get pretty big at around a foot wide.

 

[Little c big D]

I had read that about stars, but it makes me wonder if one in a 125g that is several years old could support it? I also read that they get pretty big at around a foot wide.

Is there any concern in disturbing this bed at this point? I know we'll established DSB can cause issues if they haven't been disturbed in a while.

 

[Gtinnel]

Is there any concern in disturbing this bed at this point? I know we'll established DSB can cause issues if they haven't been disturbed in a while.

I don't think its mature enough for that to be an issue. Plus I do have a few engineer gobies that make tunnels under the sand and it hasn't been an issue. So I guess when I said I don't want fish I kind of specifically meant gobies that sift the sand and can spread it to corals.
You do bring up a very good point though, and is something that has to be considered.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Nass sails live in the sand , conch , I have two and one is always in the sand and the other isn’t lol

 

[SlugSnorter]

I was trying to avoid anything that would disturb corals, that why I was ruling out any fish that sift through the sand. Doesn't pistol shrimp normally just dig a home and then stop going through the sand? I obviously don't know much about any of the sand dwelling inverts.

pistols almost always dig their burrows, and don't really leave the sand bed

Some hermits could help (electric blue maybe?)

a feather duster because feather dusters are awesome

 

[SlugSnorter]

I had read that about stars, but it makes me wonder if one in a 125g that is several years old could support it? I also read that they get pretty big at around a foot wide.

sand stars? not that ive heard. they eat super fast though. Youll need a big strong population of amphipods

 

[CanuckReefer]

Strawberry Conch and Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber in my 90g . They do amazing work, especially the Sea Cucumber.

 

[Gtinnel]

Strawberry Conch and Tiger Tail Sea Cucumber in my 90g . They do amazing work, especially the Sea Cucumber.

I hadn't even considered a cucumber.

 

[dvgyfresh]

I have the pink cuc from ipsf.com it also works great and always in the sand , I see on occasion lol

I hadn't even considered a cucumber.

 

[SlugSnorter]

I hadn't even considered a cucumber.

they clean amazing, they look amazing, and if your not careful, the kill your tank amazingly fast. some less so than others, but be careful when using cukes, they can become nukes


as a wise rambler once said, "you slumber, a cucumber"