Clean Sandbed
 

Greetings,

I know it's difficuly, but I love the aesthetics of a white sand bed.

In your opinions, what is the best way to keep the sand bed looking clean.

Thanks a lot!

Chad

Hey Chad, I think a major factor is the size of your tank. I had a blue cheek sleeper goby who did wonders keepin the sand white. But if you get a sand sifter, make sure your tank can support him for the long haul.

Thanks.

I got a 55g, with about 70 - 80 lbs of live rock in it.

Would anyone recommend a cucumber?

I have a strawberry conch in my 40G and he turns the sand over real nice. :cool:

My recomendation is take a hose and siphon it all out! :evil:

Seriously though, when I had a sand bed I would gently siphon just above the sand to get any surface detritus and algae. It really helped keep the sand bed clean.

I have a LARGE black cucumber that does wonders to my sand bed. It ranges from 12 - 14" depending on how long it stretches...and 2 - 4" in diameter...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6.../MVC-014Fa.jpg

Not useing tap water works for me i noticed a huge difference after a month when i switched to DI water,that was a year ago now my sandbed isnt 100% pure white,but looks very clean.

reply
 

I'd say a conch will do in a 55 gallon as well. You could also look into a small sand sifting starfish. How deep is your sandbed?

Are the conch's really that well at keeping the sand white and clear of algea clumps? I have a 90 gal.. should I order two?