Substrate Cleaning

[popo559]

I look at a lot of tanks and everyone of them seems to have bright white sand or crushed coral. I then look at mine and see a small amount of discoloration, Mostly green or dark purple. How do you keep your substrate clean. I use a gravel syphon everytime I clean/water change. Any suggestions? :?

 

[localhost]

Sandsifters do a good job at sand cleaning. I don't have one myself but I hear that cucumbers do a great job. I read a descriptions of this that dirty sand goes in, and perfect white sand comes out.

 

[tecwzrd]

Most of us use sand stirring inverts like limpets, copepods, amphipods, bristle worms, nassarius snails, reb/blue leg hermits, Serpent and Brittle Starfish. Gobies are good sand shifters as well.

You could order from:
http://www.inlandaquatics.com/prod/prod_detrit.html
http://www.ipsf.com/ (Sand Critters)

If you do need to vacuum then I’d only get the top 1/2” of sand so you don’t affect the anaerobic bacteria deeper in the sand bed which helps keep your tank healthy.

 

[austinsdad]

Only some gobies sift sand. I like my nassarius vibex snails. That's all they do until feeding time - stay under the sand. They magically surface at feeding time. Also be careful with cukes. Certain kinds can die and kill off everything in your tank with soome kind of toxin released from their body.

How many snails and hermits you got? Also, do you have sufficient water movement? Any dead spots?

 

[tecwzrd]

Only some gobies sift sand.

Thanks for clarifying that Liveaquaria breaks down the “Sand Sifter Gobies” from the non.