Reef Special Grade Sand Sifter

[Saltyanimals]

I have a mature 180g mixed reef leaning to a SPS dominate hence the bigger special grade reef sand.

I added a sand sifting starfish to the tank over a week ago and it barely spends any time submerged. It makes what I consider attempts where I can mostly see it on the sand. It just doesn't appear to be able to go very deep and I'm speculating it's the bigger grain sand that is making it difficult for it to fully submerge. Of course it was fine at the LFS fully submerged in their powdery sand. Other smaller CUCs including conchs and snails do fine in this grade of sand.

Anyone else with Special Grade able to share experiences with a sand sifting starfish?

 

[SlugSnorter]

they work well but eat too much microfauna imo. I like fighting conches, cerith and nassarius snails for sand stirring and cleaning.

 

[Saltyanimals]

Mine prob not eating that much if it doesn’t go into the sand where the yummy stuff are. Lol

 

[SlugSnorter]

Mine prob not eating that much if it doesn’t go into the sand where the yummy stuff are. Lol

or it ate everything and is doomed to death, Sand sifting stars really don't tend to end off well in home aquariums

 

[Saltyanimals]

Hoping that’s not the case in a 180. Anyone with one in reef special grade?

 

[legionofdoon]

My pistol shrimp moves a metric ton of my special grade, but I wish I never bought that little serial killer.

 

[Saltyanimals]

Mine does too, but doesn’t roam too far from its cave. Which again doesn’t cover much sand
in a larger system.

Man no one with this star in special grade!? Lol.

 

[legionofdoon]

Mine does too, but doesn’t roam too far from its cave. Which again doesn’t cover much sand
in a larger system.

Man no one with this star in special grade!? Lol.

Mine switches sides every so often. Any other invert that doesn't get out of his way gets destroyed.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Mine does too, but doesn’t roam too far from its cave. Which again doesn’t cover much sand
in a larger system.

Man no one with this star in special grade!? Lol.

I have a mix of special and pink arag alive. special grade is thicker but not super big

 

[hllb]

I don't have a star, but none of my other sand sifters have any trouble with special grade size. I wouldn't think it's the sand size.