Whats a good sand-sifter that won't fight with a mandarin?

NeveSSL · 09/10/2007, 10:42 AM

Hi all!

My sand is not clean and I was wondering what would be a good sand-sifting fish that wouldn't compete with a mandarin, either for food or territory?

Thanks!

Brandon

papagimp · 09/10/2007, 11:11 AM

depends why your sand isn't clean. If it's from low flow and poor water quality, than a clean up crew will only help minmally, if it's a new tank thing, than just wait it out. Otherwise, some nassarius snails do a great job stirring up the sandbed, the larger species of them do an even better job, and neither will bug the mandarin.

NeveSSL · 09/10/2007, 11:21 AM

Hmmm... I didn't think about flow. I have very low flow in my tank right now (probably 300GPH in a 45 tall)... I may just go ahead and order some Koralias then. I've got about 25 nassarius coming in a couple of weeks, so those will help.

Maybe I just need more flow.

Thanks!

Brandon

papagimp · 09/10/2007, 11:23 AM

If your sandbed is just "brown" or "tan" in color, diatoms and whanot, then probably just low flow in a new tank. 300 is minimal for that size tank. Do you have that quiet one 3000 running right now? what's that push out?

rickytikki · 09/10/2007, 11:23 AM

Nassarius snails

NeveSSL · 01/05/2008, 01:34 AM

Just to update this thread...

I now have 2 Koralia 3's and the sandbed got MUCH cleaner. There's still a spot or two I can't get flow to, but its all good and looks MUCH better!

Oh, and I also have a ton of nassarius vibex snails.

Brandon

demonsp · 01/05/2008, 01:45 AM

25 nass snails way to many. And a 45 gallon maybe to small for a sandsifting goby. But the gobys main diet is debris from the SB does eat frozen and flake and the mandrine main source os pods and most only eat pods so theres no compitition for food but with 25 nass and a goby then there will be.

NeveSSL · 01/05/2008, 01:54 AM

Just updating, bro.

I'll probably only be getting a mandarin. And I don't think 25 nassarius is too many... they're doing great!

Brandon

snorvich · 01/05/2008, 07:00 AM

You are unlikely to sustain a mandarin. You have a small tank, it is new, and there is no refugium.

NeveSSL · 01/05/2008, 03:43 PM

You assume too much.

It is fairly new, I'm not getting one now, and there IS a refugium.

I'll be adding more rock to my refugium and be dosing phyto before getting one. Plus, our local shops have had a little bit of luck with getting some in that take prepared foods... I'll be waiting on one of those, too... I'm definitely not going to just let one die...

Brandon

Sk8r · 01/05/2008, 04:19 PM

A yellow watchman will get along with your mandy. Size limit 4-5", cigar shape, minimal bio-footprint, since he eats detritus. He also eats micro pellet and anything else not nailed down.

09/10/2007, 10:42 AM	#1
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	Whats a good sand-sifter that won't fight with a mandarin? Hi all! My sand is not clean and I was wondering what would be a good sand-sifting fish that wouldn't compete with a mandarin, either for food or territory? Thanks! Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

09/10/2007, 11:11 AM	#2
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	depends why your sand isn't clean. If it's from low flow and poor water quality, than a clean up crew will only help minmally, if it's a new tank thing, than just wait it out. Otherwise, some nassarius snails do a great job stirring up the sandbed, the larger species of them do an even better job, and neither will bug the mandarin. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

09/10/2007, 11:21 AM	#3
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	Hmmm... I didn't think about flow. I have very low flow in my tank right now (probably 300GPH in a 45 tall)... I may just go ahead and order some Koralias then. I've got about 25 nassarius coming in a couple of weeks, so those will help. Maybe I just need more flow. Thanks! Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

09/10/2007, 11:23 AM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	If your sandbed is just "brown" or "tan" in color, diatoms and whanot, then probably just low flow in a new tank. 300 is minimal for that size tank. Do you have that quiet one 3000 running right now? what's that push out? __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

01/05/2008, 01:34 AM	#6
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	Just to update this thread... I now have 2 Koralia 3's and the sandbed got MUCH cleaner. There's still a spot or two I can't get flow to, but its all good and looks MUCH better! Oh, and I also have a ton of nassarius vibex snails. Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

09/10/2007, 11:23 AM	#5
rickytikki Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 126	Nassarius snails

01/05/2008, 01:45 AM	#7
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	25 nass snails way to many. And a 45 gallon maybe to small for a sandsifting goby. But the gobys main diet is debris from the SB does eat frozen and flake and the mandrine main source os pods and most only eat pods so theres no compitition for food but with 25 nass and a goby then there will be.

01/05/2008, 01:54 AM	#8
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	Just updating, bro. I'll probably only be getting a mandarin. And I don't think 25 nassarius is too many... they're doing great! Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

01/05/2008, 07:00 AM	#9
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	You are unlikely to sustain a mandarin. You have a small tank, it is new, and there is no refugium. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

01/05/2008, 03:43 PM	#10
NeveSSL Got tubes? Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 6,759	You assume too much. It is fairly new, I'm not getting one now, and there IS a refugium. I'll be adding more rock to my refugium and be dosing phyto before getting one. Plus, our local shops have had a little bit of luck with getting some in that take prepared foods... I'll be waiting on one of those, too... I'm definitely not going to just let one die... Brandon __________________ I am proof that post count is not directly proportional to "reef IQ". Zip Ties = Reef Duck Tape Geek it till it MHz!!! Current Tank Info: 180g Build in Process

01/05/2008, 04:19 PM	#11
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	A yellow watchman will get along with your mandy. Size limit 4-5", cigar shape, minimal bio-footprint, since he eats detritus. He also eats micro pellet and anything else not nailed down. __________________ 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%.