Best nano substrate cleaners

[Walkerrobin]

Hey,

My CUC consist of turbo snails and hermits and two peppermint shrimp.

However I need something to keep my 20g sand clean....

What is the best in your opinion?

 

[iDream]

Nassarius snailsm best sand cleaners for any reef IMO

 

[Walkerrobin]

They are quite hard to get hold of over here.......most people rec. these snails, how many do you have in your nano (which looks awesome by the way)!

 

[iDream]

I have none, I haven't been able to get a hold of any myself


Maybe find a place to order online? They're the only real low-impact and easy to care for sandsifter unless you want a some sort of watchman-type goby.


And thank you, currently I'm not super happy with it, but hopefully when I move I'll get it in shape

 

[Walkerrobin]

I need to get something, the sand keeps going brown with patches of algae....new tank I guess.....

 

[iDream]

Got good flow? That'll keep most algae off the sand.


Brown algae AKA diatoms are usually the result of new tanks, how long has yours been up?

 

[Walkerrobin]

Not bad, one nano power head and the flow of the filter pump. Tank has been set for two months...?

 

[iDream]

Do you happen to know the GPH of each? And how big the tank is as well

 

[classklown90]

how long is the tank ad how do you have the powerheads postioned. Try a two spot goby, have heard they die often but ive had mine and he is doing great, constantly sifting sand, keeps it fresh

 

[Walkerrobin]

The tank is a tall 21 gallon ( uk) tank, will check on flow of power heads......

 

[Walkerrobin]

The nano head is positioned to flow mid tank, the filter pump is aimed towards the top of the water

 

[carey]

If you aim it so both have their flow hitting each other then you get a good chaotic flow. I have both of mine aimed at the back wall hitting each other.

lol I'm trying to explain what is in my head, hope you get what I'm saying.

 

[Walkerrobin]

I think so! Both heads flow meeting in a point (centre of tank) to cause a stronger flow throughout.....?

 

[Walkerrobin]

I think so! Both heads flow meeting in a point (centre of tank) to cause a stronger flow throughout.....?

Will this help with brown diatoms?

 

[MBliss81]

I have a handful of hermits and a diamond watchman goby that keep my sand pretty clean. I also have 1 or 2 nassirus snails in there somewhere, but I never see them come up above the sand. There are also 2 peppermint shrimp and a coral banded shrimp in there, but they don't really clean the sand.

 

[MBliss81]

Also, eliminating the source of phosphates and reducing nitrates will starve the diatoms out. If they can't feed, they won't grow.

 

[Walkerrobin]

I have a handful of hermits and a diamond watchman goby that keep my sand pretty clean. I also have 1 or 2 nassirus snails in there somewhere, but I never see them come up above the sand. There are also 2 peppermint shrimp and a coral banded shrimp in there, but they don't really clean the sand.

My hermits just stay on the rock - useless!! Would a watchman goby grow too big for a nano, I have heard they need 30g?

 

[carey]

My watchman goby is quite large, I woudlnt put him in anything less than a 30 at the least.

Have you looked online for those snails? I have a ton of them in my biocube.

 

[Walkerrobin]

I have Carey, there seems to be a snail shortage!! Keep looking I guess

 

[carey]

Where are you located? I just ordered from reefcleaners and got 20 narsissus snails for 40 cents each.