Keeping the sand clean

Rfsmith4 · May 21, 2014

I'm curious what people think is the best way to keep a clean sand bed.
What does everyone think is best, routine maintenance or critters or both. LFS suggested any type of sand sifter like a star or horseshoe crab or conch or snail. Rather not go with a goby because I like to keep the tank uncovered.

If maintenance is the way to go what ways have you found that worked. Just sucking the stuff up seems to remove to much sand.

Thanks
Cory

Pete polyp · May 21, 2014

Nassarius snails work great. I have witnessed conch working well also.

fishroomlady · May 21, 2014

^^+1 I also vacuum small sections during water changes (it's a shallow sand bed, you don't want to do that with a DSB). I would suggest not getting a sand sifting star, most tanks do not have the amount of food that these need in their sand beds and most slowly starve.

Pete polyp · May 21, 2014

fishroomlady said:
^^+1 I also vacuum small sections during water changes (it's a shallow sand bed, you don't want to do that with a DSB). I would suggest not getting a sand sifting star, most tanks do not have the amount of food that these need in their sand beds and most slowly starve.

Great info here..... I'm happy you elaborate more on related issues... I'm more blunt and to the point, kind of a personality flaw

lirrgirl · May 21, 2014

I wondered my self how to an if I should clean my sand bed its about 1 1/2 inches. can I or should I ruff it up?

Jonreefer · May 21, 2014

I run a shallow sand bed just for looks. every week i stir my sand bed by hand and turkey bast the rocks then every 2 weeks during my water change i give it a vac as well. so when i stir up gets back in water column so can be filtered out by the sock. 1.5" is fine to stir and vac that isnt a deep sand bed

Zallman125 · May 21, 2014

Pretty much any type of snail sand sifting stars hermits all work real good and you could also use the hose to do sections of the sand bed were it's real bad but don't go crazy to much will kill bacteria and the good stuff I'm your sand

reid429 · May 21, 2014

Conch is the secret

Ryan2428 · May 21, 2014

I am ax firm believer in my conchs they do a great job

Sn4k33Y3z · May 22, 2014

Pete polyp said:
Nassarius snails work great. I have witnessed conch working well also.

Nassarius snails are NOT sand sifters. Granted they do live in the sand bed. However, they are Carnivoras! Ever wonder why when you feed frozen food they pop up and out of the sand bed... Try that with a nori sheet. I feel this is one of the biggest misconceptions in the hobby...

Pete polyp · May 22, 2014

Sn4k33Y3z said:
Nassarius snails are NOT sand sifters. Granted they do live in the sand bed. However, they are Carnivoras! Ever wonder why when you feed frozen food they pop up and out of the sand bed... Try that with a nori sheet. I feel this is one of the biggest misconceptions in the hobby...

They will eat leftover bits of food and detritus right off the sand. They will also keep the top layer of sand stirred up for a cleaner appearance.

lirrgirl · May 22, 2014

Wow OK. Thanks. Haven't touched my sand in yes. Think that's my algae problem???

lirrgirl · May 22, 2014

I also have a nassarius snail. Just one. Doesn't turn sand as much as I would like

mocika · May 22, 2014

I have diamond gobby and my send is crystal clear. I just dont like the gobby when is very active because it make dust around him and my water isnt clear as i want it. But dont put diamond gobgy in old tank.

stunkenwagon · May 22, 2014

I stir the sand every couple of days and seems to do the job plus it feeds the corals

Rfsmith4 · May 22, 2014

Thanks for the help.... I definitely like the hands off approach. Don't really like the idea of stirring up the sand and that landing in my corals. Will try the conch plus seems like a cool addition to the tank

Jonreefer · May 22, 2014

LOL you dont put a whisk in there and stir it up like a vortex.your basically gently turning the sand over
just like he does in this video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_3w9UvYIek&list=PLFA8CD9EB8CAB830F
I am actually a little more gentle then he is in the video

Macdaddynick1 · May 23, 2014

Conch. No matter what you hear , those are the best and the most useful snails

trickedout900 · May 23, 2014

What about a brown or yellow cucumber? Assuming your tank is large enough to support it. I have two of them in my 360 gallon tank and the are constantly sifting the sand. Plus they are super fun to watch. Just my two cents.

Macdaddynick1 · May 23, 2014

I have a tigertail too , and he is fun to watch but the snails are way faster and they go where the cucumber doesn't and they specifically eat the cyano algae and turnover the sand