Live sand, self cleaning, or does it need help?

[hesaias]

Just wondering if I should add
more LS(fairly sure this will happen)
detrivore kit(this too)
10-20 nassarius snails
1-2 cucumbers
I dont know if cukes are reef, or even FO safe. I just want to keep my LS clean.
Caulerpa is on the way(thanks to KASESQ :)), so will the sand need any help keeping clean or should the sand do it itself if its mature enough?
I have a 6-line wrasse, and I fear he will keep the critters in the sand fairly beat back. Will a detrivore kit help? Ive got a few spagetti worms and I say a tiny white brittle star the other day, but the sand is not what I would call "teaming" with life. Got a good start though

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hesaias

my homepage (http://www.angelfire.com/on2/hesaias/index.html)

[rshimek]

Hi,

Mopping cukes are great for reefs, and the snails sound good too.

I would add a booster kit of some worms, although I don't necessarily think terebellids (spaghetti worms) are the top choice.

However, the six-line wrasse will destroy your sand fauna. Pretty much totally. I do not consider them reef safe, if you want a decent sand bed.

I really wouldn't bother to add anything to the sand as long as you have the wrasse.

Cheers, Ron

[hesaias]

Thanks Ron
Could keeping the 6-line well fed help, or maybe just prolong the fate of my sand bed. I would hate to take him back to the lfs, but if the overall good of the reef is at stake.....
which species of cukes are best?

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hesaias

my homepage (http://www.angelfire.com/on2/hesaias/index.html)

[rshimek]

Hi,

Others may differ on this, but my own feeling is that you can't keep a six-lined fed well enough.

Really any of the mopping cukes like "tiger tails" are okay and pretty much equivalent.

Cheers, Ron

[Kirbster]

I didn't have a 6-line but I had some other kind of Pseudochelinus Wrasse (a scarlet, I think?) that devastated the biodiversity in my reef. Then he jumped out and died. I felt bad for him, but it was a good thing for the rejuvination of my tank.

Ron, do you just prefer the mopping cukes or do you have something against borrowing cukes? They are more detritivores than carnivores and therefore harmless to the sand. Correct? I have a tendency to not use cukes at all, although I like the tiger tails and I have had success reproducing the little yellow guys which you assure me ARE NOT Cucumaria minata! ;)

KA

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"You must unlearn what you have learned."
-Yoda

[hesaias]

thanks again Ron, Kirby
I may try to return the 6-line then and get a cuke or two :)

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hesaias

my homepage (http://www.angelfire.com/on2/hesaias/index.html)

[Psyduck]

Ok, just because I didnt want to start a whole new topic and since this is kinda on this topic, its going here :). Ok, just to go with the trends, I was gonna buy a few pounds of "live sand" mail order style (if that is the best way). Now since I cant see what it actually looks like, does anyone have a good spot to get it from, and what is a reasonable price for it? I read Ron's article in AFM, and figured why not, lets add some and see what happens. But Im guessing my LFS does not have sand with all the critters that Ron talks about in his article.

[rshimek]

Hi Kirby,

Burrowing cukes will be fine, I just haven't had any recently and didn't think of it when I replied. Moppers do a good job on the top of the sediments, and really work well there. Such animals are also common components of the natural reefs, so I figure they have a place in our tank.

Regarding the mis-idenification of the little yellow tropical cukes as Cucumaria miniata. The later is found in the waters of the NE Pacific, and will die (rather spectacularly) at temperatures much above 55 deg. F., reaches lengths of about 16 inches, and is a suspension feeder.

Cheers, Ron

[hesaias]

Well, before I take him back, I've got to catch him!
I started using ESVs phytoplankton and soaked it in reef pures vitamin/HUFA supplement. Is this good for sand bed food?
Ill watch the 6-line for a while, but I see him picking along the rocks alot

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hesaias

my homepage (http://www.angelfire.com/on2/hesaias/index.html)

[hesaias]

I read the article on feeding the tank, gonna get some tahitian blend cryopaste next week, esv was at the lfs today.
Im gonna try that food recipe too, sounds like a good blend for the tank (and my wallet! ;))
My 6-line is fat as a tick, too.

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hesaias

my homepage (http://www.angelfire.com/on2/hesaias/index.html)

[hesaias]

Psyduck
I got my live sand from my lfs. It had all kinds of featherdusters, worms, sponges and 2 chitons and a few snails. I think they make it by curing they're LR over "dead sand. This is supposed to yeild the best Live sand. Ask your LFS how they get thiers

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hesaias

my homepage (http://www.angelfire.com/on2/hesaias/index.html)

[DougL]

hesaias;

IMHO, dead sand cured with live rock in not live sand. The infauna of live sand and rock fauna have a few critters that will
colonize sand, but you will not end up with a high bio-diversity. The only way to get Live sand is to seed your tank with live
sand. :)

Just my ramblings;

DougL




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http://sites.netscape.net/douglxyzzy

[hesaias]

Any real good sources come to mind? FFEX? The only LS ive bought is from my LFS.

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hesaias
" If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?"- Albert Einstien

my homepage (http://www.angelfire.com/on2/hesaias/index.html)

[DougL]

hesaias;

While I have heard good reports about several sources, If you have several LFS with LS, its generally better to buy a lb or two at each.

I am going to order some sand from Gulf View
And a couple of lbs of Grundge match from Inland. However, I am going to see where I am first, by examining what I have.

HTH;

DougL

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http://sites.netscape.net/douglxyzzy

[hesaias]

Sounds like a good plan Doug. I got 2 LFS that sell LS, and can MO a couple more Lbs, elsewhere. Wish I had one of those Intel microscopes to check out the critters 1st. Hmmmm.... only $ 99.00, sounde reasonable...

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hesaias
" If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research, would it?"- Albert Einstien

my homepage (http://www.angelfire.com/on2/hesaias/index.html)