DSB Sand Sifter?

Eb0la11 · #1 01-02-2010, 06:12 AM

Hey guys, just wondering what a good sand sifting creature would be for a DSB in my refugium? The poll thats going on right now made me think of this. Maybe a fish is the best option? My refuigum is 13G but with the DSB and a small area for chaeto there's probably only around 6G or so of swimming room.

What would work well? I was thinking maybe a star fish too? Or some under-sand snails?

MMAX · #2 01-02-2010, 01:28 PM

Bristle worm?

Marlin65 · #3 01-02-2010, 02:17 PM

A starfish will decimate all the good things in no time. Just put in some snails that burrow in the sand to keep it mixed up. That and all the things that normally live in the sand like worms ect seed with other live sand. No fish they will eat everything.

ponokareefer · #4 01-02-2010, 02:38 PM

I definitely wouldn't use a starfish. They will eat the creatures in your sand bed. Snails probably work the best. I also have 4 engineer goby's that sift the sand everyday, but I'm not sure how beneficial they are, and could be possibly hurting the sand bed.

Myka · #5 01-02-2010, 02:45 PM

I wouldn't put a sand sifter of any in your refugium especially with a DSB. It kind of makes it all a moot point when the sand sifter will decimate the populations you are trying to achieve by making a refugium with a DSB.

The starfish will basically eat "everything" in the sandbed (they are big eaters, I've known many to starve in 100+ gallon tanks), and most sifting fish will eat all the pods too.

naesco · #6 01-02-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myka

i wouldn't put a sand sifter of any in your refugium especially with a dsb. It kind of makes it all a moot point when the sand sifter will decimate the populations you are trying to achieve by making a refugium with a dsb.

the starfish will basically eat "everything" in the sandbed (they are big eaters, i've known many to starve in 100+ gallon tanks), and most sifting fish will eat all the pods too.

+1