TLTGF
Aquarium Advice Addict
I've searched the forums only to find bits and pieces of advice strewn about in multiple threads.
I'm looking for some real experiences people have with multiple ways to keep the sandbed looking decent, or if you think that a "dirty" sandbed is the way to go.
In my own person experience the only thing I've had that kept the sandbed clean was a diamond goby. I only had him for a few months, but the difference was remarkable. Unfortunately, I had a Chromis die and the entrance to his home, and before I could remove it, the goby was never to be seen again.
I had a sandbed that had been following the tank for about 6 years and was and still is very full of critters. I've still heard that the sand sifting gobys lifespan isn't that good. Is this right?
I have a reef, so are sand sifting stars reef safe? Anyone have experience with them?
Finally, the standard CUC. I have (5) nassarius snails, a couple turbo's, and around 10-15 blue leg hermits, (1) scarlet hermit, and (2) large hermits.
The nassarius snails do stir up the sand in small patches sometimes, but over the past month or so, my sand is just getting a very light brown tint with patches of pinkish and greenish from the algae. Plus there are larger rock pieces about the size of BB's, and also empty, discarded shells laying around.
My tank is a 54 gallon corner reef tank. 80+ lbs of LR, 3-4" sandbed.
I feed Ocean Nutrition II flakes daily, and every 3rd day, I feed mysis, and no flakes.
Thanks for the help!
I'm looking for some real experiences people have with multiple ways to keep the sandbed looking decent, or if you think that a "dirty" sandbed is the way to go.
In my own person experience the only thing I've had that kept the sandbed clean was a diamond goby. I only had him for a few months, but the difference was remarkable. Unfortunately, I had a Chromis die and the entrance to his home, and before I could remove it, the goby was never to be seen again.
I had a sandbed that had been following the tank for about 6 years and was and still is very full of critters. I've still heard that the sand sifting gobys lifespan isn't that good. Is this right?
I have a reef, so are sand sifting stars reef safe? Anyone have experience with them?
Finally, the standard CUC. I have (5) nassarius snails, a couple turbo's, and around 10-15 blue leg hermits, (1) scarlet hermit, and (2) large hermits.
The nassarius snails do stir up the sand in small patches sometimes, but over the past month or so, my sand is just getting a very light brown tint with patches of pinkish and greenish from the algae. Plus there are larger rock pieces about the size of BB's, and also empty, discarded shells laying around.
My tank is a 54 gallon corner reef tank. 80+ lbs of LR, 3-4" sandbed.
I feed Ocean Nutrition II flakes daily, and every 3rd day, I feed mysis, and no flakes.
Thanks for the help!