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View Full Version : How does everybody keep thier sand clean


pumpdogs
02/18/2009, 04:24 AM
My sand is always dirty looking.How do you keep it clean?

TheDarkness
02/18/2009, 04:30 AM
maybe try a sand-sifter starfish, those work good...or a orange spotted blenny....crabs, snails...maybe even run your hand threw the sand every couple days just about a 1/2" to 1" deep.

ludnix
02/18/2009, 04:50 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14422054#post14422054 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TheDarkness
maybe try a sand-sifter starfish, those work good...or a orange spotted blenny....crabs, snails...maybe even run your hand threw the sand every couple days just about a 1/2" to 1" deep.

Actually sand sifting stars are not a good idea because of our inability to keep them alive in our tanks. They are known for devouring any life in a sand bed and then starving to death as their food source is depleted.

I've heard of people stirring their sand beds as long as they are shallow, if you're looking for animals that can help out there are a variety of sand dwelling gobies that will help out in small areas of the tank. You may also consider Nassarius snails and fighting conches.

pumpdogs
02/18/2009, 06:12 AM
My sand bed in only about 1 inch.I see other peoples on this site and they are always white.

L98-Z
02/18/2009, 07:11 AM
Diamond Goby.

hermitage
02/18/2009, 07:54 AM
Vaccum your sand bed occasionally. I have a 3"-4", and I vacuum portions of it weekly.

CRASHJT
02/18/2009, 08:29 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14422327#post14422327 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by L98-Z
Diamond Goby.

+ 100...lol I picked a diamond goby and now my sand is always white and clean looking cant beat em'!!!!

rhino509
02/18/2009, 08:36 AM
up the water flow so stuff doesnt have a chance to settle.my tank has two fish,neither of which are sand sifters and my sand stays pretty clean.good luck.

reefscape15
02/18/2009, 08:40 AM
Agreed with rhino. Tons of flow adjusted where it's blowing over the sandbed, but not blowing the sand around. Brittle star, Serpant star, Nassarius snails, Spotted or Sleeper Head gobies, Hermit crabs.

will16
02/18/2009, 11:41 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14422327#post14422327 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by L98-Z
Diamond Goby.

Another vote for the diamond goby. Does a great job

lizardarm
02/18/2009, 12:16 PM
+1 on the diamond goby; mine keeps the sand looking new. One question though, does anyone else experience their water always being a bit "dusty" from their diamond goby's constant sifting? I've pretty much traded crystal clear water for a cleaner looking sandbed.

lurchccd
02/18/2009, 12:24 PM
"+100 on the diamond goby", i like that!
they are great!

nikon187
02/18/2009, 12:31 PM
There will always be sand in the water column when you have a sand sifter, there isn't much you can do about it

Jah2707
02/18/2009, 01:00 PM
+ 2 on flow. move a power head so it is closer to the sand or angled at the and more. It will solve the problem fast.

Jay180reef
02/18/2009, 02:56 PM
I had a small sandsifting star, he didn't do much to keep the sand 'looking' clean at all. Once I added the sleeper goby, the sand was all sifted and white within a week. The only drawback is he throws a lot more sand into the water column, so I have to blow sand off the rock and coral more.

Lightsluvr
02/18/2009, 02:59 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14424278#post14424278 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lurchccd
"+100 on the diamond goby", i like that!
they are great!

Yup, this guy will do it...

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff125/lightsluvr/WatchmanHomer1007.jpg

LL

Eel-byte
02/18/2009, 03:46 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14422673#post14422673 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rhino509
up the water flow so stuff doesnt have a chance to settle.my tank has two fish,neither of which are sand sifters and my sand stays pretty clean.good luck.

+3!

diamond gobies do a good job too, but can undermine your rock work and cause problems.

runningstix
02/18/2009, 03:56 PM
flow + gfo

giambi4343
02/18/2009, 04:19 PM
i have/ had a tiger tail cucumber. but now he has split twice. the three tiger tails do a great job overal. i couldnt be any happier

rhino509
02/18/2009, 04:22 PM
pumpdogs,what it comes down to is researching your options and then choosing which best fits your need.dont ever just do something to try and fix something else,youll end up with more problems.the goby should be fine just be sure to read about what it takes to keep one healthy.a goby is by no means a cure for dirty sand,granted itll probably help dont expect to be cure.

DT's_Reef
02/18/2009, 04:39 PM
Aren't diamond gobies notorious for jumping?

gypsyboy38
02/18/2009, 09:18 PM
I vacuum mine once a week. If you only have a 1" bed, it's just for show anyways, so you might as well vacuum it. That way you can have a clean bed and clear water.