Sand sifter

1bigstud · #1 02-01-2007, 04:25 AM

Thinking of adding one to a 77 gallon reef. It's a deep sand bed any suggestions???

G1GY · #2 02-01-2007, 04:30 AM

I've heard that they can actualy strip the sandbed of anything good. But I'm not sure that's true.

justinl · #3 02-01-2007, 06:37 AM

well the main function of a sand sifter is to sift sand. hence the name

It seems logical that a few might munch on life in the bed, but hey, it's a give and take relationship isn't it? Just so long as you don't throw in too many things that strip the bed (what those include, I don't know) of life, I think things will turn out anywhere from okay to better than before. At least you won't get the black-anoxic-toxic-and-generally-just-plain-icky sand that unstirred DSBs are known for.

as for suggestions for a reef sifter, i hear good things about various gobies. sand sifting stars do a good job. cucumbers are up there too, but Id go for a non toxic one.

krisalexander · #4 02-01-2007, 07:37 AM

Hey,
I have a nice sand bed, and it is nicely maintained by two twin spotted gobies. (AKA 4 wheel drive gobies) One of my favourite fish.
Here is a picture of Barnes and Noble...

Kris

DanG · #5 02-01-2007, 08:44 PM

Depending on how wide the tank is, a strawberry conch would be good if you don't have a ton of surface area, but if it's a shallower and longer/wider tank, a spider conch would work, but they get big, really big.

1bigstud · #6 02-02-2007, 08:39 PM

Beautiful fish Krisalexander. I think I'm leaning torward gobies, any recommendations?

ponokareefer · #7 02-02-2007, 09:05 PM

I have a sandsifting star that does a good job. I don't see it much though. The only issue I have heard with gobies is if you have anything in the sand, corals or clams. I had a goby that would sometimes put the substrate on corals.

TNTCanada · #8 02-02-2007, 11:04 PM

I am a big fan of the sand sifting star fish... they do a good job at keeping my sand nice and white. Had a goby but got rid of it as it was always spitting out sand on top of all my Zoos and live rock.

Cheers
Tyler

Black Phantom · #9 02-03-2007, 03:21 AM

My sifter is two years in my tank and seems to have done very well for himself. My sand bed is quite deep as well so I'm sure he has plenty to eat. I don't think I would go any smaller then a 77.
You will want to make sure that your tank is well established so he has a good food source. You should be able to see a lot of worms and such up against the glass. They won't eat anything but live food.
Hope this helps

krisalexander · #10 02-03-2007, 07:18 AM

1bigstud, I would definately recomend the twin spotted goby...They are fun to watch and sweet looking and watching them open their mouths and eat the sand then it filters the sand through its gills...

Kris