sand sifting fish

[kriskat]

Any one want to plead a case for a sand sifting/cleaning fish? I am ready to add another (the tanks a year old now), but rather than add one just for my viewing pleasure I need it to earn its keep. The sand surface needs some tidying up. I have a serpent star who does a nice job under its favorite rock but I would like something to get more surface area. Currently I have a 55 gal with a 29 gal 'fuge. In the main tank are garden variety critters, a purple tang and a banggai cardinal fish (both relatively small). All parameters are consistent with promoting marine life. Even though currently this is a FOWLR with DSB it is a brightly lit tank in preparation for corals in the future. I figured Id learn the basics with fish first. So...who has experience, good or bad, with sand sifters? Thanks in advance!

[Randy V]

While a sand sifting fish is one way to get your sand sifted, you may find it more effective to do it with sandbed infauna like bristleworms and terebellid (spaghetti) worms. Add to this cerith snails, conchs, mopping cucumbers and other organisms and you will have an effective sand cleaning system.

The problem with sand sifting fish or even sand sifting stars (not your serpent star) is that they are sifting in order to prey on the critters in the sand bed. You will get your sand stirred, but you won't get the diatoms, and other things out of the sand that the infauna would have eaten for you. With the worms and other critters you will get both.

[undrwata]

I would recommend fighting conches or a tiger cucumber...I have both in my 100 gal and they do a nice job.