Sand Sifters

iemsparticus · Nov 14, 2017

Ok so not sure if this is better in the fish forum or the inverts forum, because it involves both.

I’m looking to get some better sand sifting going in than what I’ve got. I have a 120 gallon mixed reef, with 6 or so Nassarius Snails and 5 or 6 hermit crabs... and 6 or so Ceriths (that I am aware occasionally will sift through some sand).

I’m not sure if I would be looking at sand sifting gobies, more snails/crabs, starfish, etc... my sand bed is 2.5-3” deep.

Ideas?

Caseyoidae · Nov 14, 2017

Gobies will turn the tank into a snow globe for a while but it was worth it to me. They are so funny!

Jeff Hall · Nov 14, 2017

Orange spot goby will keep a sandbed in 2,000gal tank looking clean.

Darryl · Nov 14, 2017

iemsparticus said:
Ok so not sure if this is better in the fish forum or the inverts forum, because it involves both.

I’m looking to get some better sand sifting going in than what I’ve got. I have a 120 gallon mixed reef, with 6 or so Nassarius Snails and 5 or 6 hermit crabs... and 6 or so Ceriths (that I am aware occasionally will sift through some sand).

I’m not sure if I would be looking at sand sifting gobies, more snails/crabs, starfish, etc... my sand bed is 2.5-3” deep.

Ideas?

Yes i would add a nice gobby or 2 that will keep the sand moving a golden or orange spot gobby or 2 is the ticket then add 2 pistol shrimps

Jeff Hall · Nov 14, 2017

Orange Spot Goby will keep a 2,000 gallon tank's sand bed clean.

DSC reef · Nov 14, 2017

I'd think about adding more or different snails. I really like black nassarius snails. Maybe a couple conch. I'm not a fan of crabs and now that there gone I don't miss them. They always harassed my snails, to opportunistic for me. I'm running bare bottom so I just have astreas now. I always liked how the nassarius come out of the sand bed like zombies when food hit the tank. Lol. I kept a sleeper goby but he made to much of a mess and got sand all over, constantly blowing off coral even midway up in the tank.

madweazl · Nov 14, 2017

I grabbed a diamond goby about five months ago and it has done an outstanding job of keeping the sand turned over and looking pristine. It kicks up a lot of debris in the sand occasionally but that is a good thing. It doesn't drag the sand across the tank and your corals like a sleeper. I have a tiger sand conch that does almost nothing along with myriad snails. The pistol shrimp also does an amazing job at moving the sand but again, kicks up debris when he really goes to town.

cracker · Nov 14, 2017

any suggestions for a large growing sand goby in a big FO tank?

SashimiTurtle · Nov 14, 2017

I'm gonna try a bunch of nassarius and a sand sifting star in my 30 cube. If that's not enough, I'll add a conch. I like a perfectly clean sand bed, and using really fine black sand I see every speck of "not sand."

patfat · Nov 14, 2017

I got a diamond goby in my tank and I catch him all the time grabbing snails and crabs and throwing it in his hole and keeping them there...most have died now because of him and I’m ready to get rid of him..other then that he did a great job at cleaning the sand hah

DSC reef · Nov 14, 2017

cracker said:
any suggestions for a large growing sand goby in a big FO tank?

It didn't sift to much sand but an engineer goby looks awesome. They burrow alot. Resembles an eel fully grown.

nautical_nathaniel · Nov 14, 2017

I would start off with 20 or so more snails of each type and then maybe look into something like a large watchman goby like a blue spot watchman goby. Sleeper type gobies can make a bit of mess most of the time and some folks will claim most of them are more trouble than they're worth. I personally will say that diamond gobies are a bit tamer in terms of making dust storms but each fish is unique.

cracker · Nov 14, 2017

Ahhh a diamond goby would fit the bill However I just read they feed off the fauna that live in the sand. I'd be concerned about supplying a proper diet.

iemsparticus · Nov 14, 2017

Thanks all for the suggestions!

I’ve thought of adding in a few more snails, but I really don’t think I’m up for 40+ more... so I may lean towards a goby or a pair of gobies... will maybe keep my eyes on DD.

I have no fuge, and while I get pods on my glass, I’m assuming that if I put fish in the predate on them, the population my become less stable... will this be a concern? Thoughts?

jd371 · Nov 15, 2017

I added a Rainford Goby to my tank recently. After the first week of hiding, it's out all the time now sifting through the sand or picking algae off the rocks. Clean sand and rocks... a win win.

Jl330 · Nov 15, 2017

madweazl said:
I grabbed a diamond goby about five months ago and it has done an outstanding job of keeping the sand turned over and looking pristine. It kicks up a lot of debris in the sand occasionally but that is a good thing. It doesn't drag the sand across the tank and your corals like a sleeper. I have a tiger sand conch that does almost nothing along with myriad snails. The pistol shrimp also does an amazing job at moving the sand but again, kicks up debris when he really goes to town.

Would he hurt anything with corals on the sand bed? I have mostly lps and they're growing out directly on the bottom. I had to get rid of my sleeper goby because he tried to kill every coral I have.

iemsparticus · Nov 15, 2017

That’s another good question... are Corals able to be on the sand bed with a sandsifting goby?

Everyone says sleepers are far messier than watchmen... would a diamond goby work with coral in the sand, or would I need all my corals on the rock?

DSC reef · Nov 15, 2017

iemsparticus said:
That’s another good question... are Corals able to be on the sand bed with a sandsifting goby?

Everyone says sleepers are far messier than watchmen... would a diamond goby work with coral in the sand, or would I need all my corals on the rock?

IMO a diamond goby can make a mess. You would definitely need to watch corals on the sand bed. The sleeper goby liked to bring sand all over the rock where the diamond went to town on the bottom. It got old real fast constantly blowing off coral. You might get one that behaves differently. The sleeper goby was an amazing fish though, always out and about readily eating prepared foods. As much as I'd get irritated about blowing off rocks and coral I understood he's just doing what hes supposed too.

Jl330 · Nov 15, 2017

I think for my needs, more snails are in order. I need about a dozen who clean the sand. I miss how spotless my sand bed was when I had the goby.

Jeff Hall · Nov 15, 2017

cracker said:
Ahhh a diamond goby would fit the bill However I just read they feed off the fauna that live in the sand. I'd be concerned about supplying a proper diet.

I've had one for over a year. Eats anything I put in the tank, just have to feed enough to get the food to where he can see it down close to the sand bed, which can be challenging when all the other fish are eating from the water column.