Sand Bed Thickness for Pistol Shrimp

JUNI0R · #1 10/26/2007, 11:46 AM

I was thinking about getting a pistol shrimp eventually and I was wondering what the minimum send bed thickness I would need to keep the shrimp happy. Right now I am cycling my tank and it has about a 1 to 1.5 inch sand bed. If I need to add more sand I figured now would be the ideal time to do it.
Thanks for any information.

barbra · #2 10/26/2007, 12:15 PM

Since they like to burrow down a bit I would use 3-4 inches of sand.

roberts722 · #3 10/26/2007, 12:19 PM

i have one in my system and my sand bed is 1" he hangs out in a hole in the rocks with the yellow watchman.

that said a few inches would be best.

swampjeep · #4 10/26/2007, 01:23 PM

I have abotu 2" bed in my 120, can sand be added once the tank is fully set up and running, or will adding some (maybe 10-20lb a week or even monthly) cause a harmful cycle on my sestem?

ACBlinky · #5 10/26/2007, 09:14 PM

With a 2" sandbed in a 120g, I think you're already fine. My tiger pistol moves sand around to suit his needs - the SSB in my 90g is only about 1" overall, but the majority of the sand is on the right side because he's moved it over. His territory has an average sand depth of about 2", with several deeper piles. Your pistol will have plenty of sand to play with, but if you want to add more I think your plan to add gradually will work. I'd add no more than 1/4" at a time over part of the sandbed (leave some untouched), and wait about a week or so between additions.

swampjeep · #6 10/29/2007, 11:55 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ACBlinky
[B] My tiger pistol moves sand around to suit his needs - the SSB in my 90g is only about 1" overall, but the majority of the sand is on the right side because he's moved it over. His territory has an average sand depth of about 2", with several deeper piles. Your pistol will have plenty of sand to play with, QUOTE]
so how long did you pistle shrimp hide out for before coming out in the open? I have had a tiger and a micheals for 3 months, the tiger made a cave under a rock the first night and I only know he's still there cause he opend up a breather hole at each end, and I've seen him grab food by reaching out but not comming out... and the micheals found a home in a rock with several passages, and I see him out once in a great while... neither seem interested in teaming up with my pink spotted shrimp goby (which is about 6" long)

coast2coast7390 · #7 10/29/2007, 07:22 PM

two inches is good...right now mine doesnt have any...just patrols the rock