Dirty sand rim? A few suggestions

Sk8r · 11/15/2016, 02:05 PM

Undersand cleaners and sandsifters: gobies, fighting conch (1 large per 50 gallons) nassarius snails. [My own solution in this department is a 4.5" golden dascyllus who loves to move sand with her tail. A lot of it. She keeps her cave swept.] For tanks under 50 gallons, the yellow watchman is the strongest sand-sifter you want: the diamond or dragon is for a much bigger tank. [I do NOT recommend goby-shrimp pairs: I lost several fish including the goby to a tiger pistol, the recommended pairing. You takes your chances, in other words. I had to unbuild a reef to remove the assassin.]

a good scraper that won't pick up sand and scar your glass. Tunze Care Magnet is good, but not infallible: use caution, stop if you see trapped sand.

cut a strip of black construction paper as deep as your sandbed and temporarily tape it where it's exposed to sunlight, if that's your problem. Leave it a few days. Then remove. Apply as needed.

zKRYt · 11/15/2016, 05:57 PM

What would you recommend for a DSB? Currently I have 4 Nassarius in a 34g DT. and 4 small hermits, two turbos (who are slow af) I have a few Trochus snails, Nerite snails 6x bristleworms, 6x spaghetti worms and 6 mini brittle starfish on the way to try and help activate the DSB a little more. Is there anything else that would be worthwhile? I also wanted a sand-sifting goby but was concerned, based on tank size, that it may remove too much of the live bacteria that supports the DSB.

Sk8r · 11/16/2016, 04:14 PM

It won't deplete bacteria but on that scale a pair of high fin red stripe gobies would both entertain and do some burrowing and cleaning. Much smaller, pretty, and do a burrow then move, do a burrow then move, etc.

11/15/2016, 02:05 PM	#1
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Dirty sand rim? A few suggestions Undersand cleaners and sandsifters: gobies, fighting conch (1 large per 50 gallons) nassarius snails. [My own solution in this department is a 4.5" golden dascyllus who loves to move sand with her tail. A lot of it. She keeps her cave swept.] For tanks under 50 gallons, the yellow watchman is the strongest sand-sifter you want: the diamond or dragon is for a much bigger tank. [I do NOT recommend goby-shrimp pairs: I lost several fish including the goby to a tiger pistol, the recommended pairing. You takes your chances, in other words. I had to unbuild a reef to remove the assassin.] a good scraper that won't pick up sand and scar your glass. Tunze Care Magnet is good, but not infallible: use caution, stop if you see trapped sand. cut a strip of black construction paper as deep as your sandbed and temporarily tape it where it's exposed to sunlight, if that's your problem. Leave it a few days. Then remove. Apply as needed. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/16/2016, 04:14 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	It won't deplete bacteria but on that scale a pair of high fin red stripe gobies would both entertain and do some burrowing and cleaning. Much smaller, pretty, and do a burrow then move, do a burrow then move, etc. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

11/15/2016, 05:57 PM	#2
zKRYt Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 59	What would you recommend for a DSB? Currently I have 4 Nassarius in a 34g DT. and 4 small hermits, two turbos (who are slow af) I have a few Trochus snails, Nerite snails 6x bristleworms, 6x spaghetti worms and 6 mini brittle starfish on the way to try and help activate the DSB a little more. Is there anything else that would be worthwhile? I also wanted a sand-sifting goby but was concerned, based on tank size, that it may remove too much of the live bacteria that supports the DSB.