Sand cleaning fish/Inverts???

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PeterL

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I need to get something to clean my sand (well, actually everywhere in my tank for that matter), I am very undecided and need some tips from you guys. Basically I get recurring brown algae which for 2/3 of my tank is sorted by my sand dollar, he cleans up well. However there is a few areas where it just refuses to go to so I need to get a cleaner or few to sort that out.

What cleaner/s would be more advised? Keep in mind that I only have a 250L system so a great big 25cm star isn't going to work out so well:nono:.

I have 1 Red Sea Star, 1 Cleaner Shrimp and 1 Sand Dollar - clearly no where near enough cleaners to sort things out in my system:whistling:.

I have seen my LFS with loads of sand shifting Gobies but have also heard that they can cause problems by digging - that could be a problem and cause a rockfall which will be a major problem should that happen. The other concern is hearing about them throwing substrate onto corals so there is a fair reluctance with that fish specifically...BUT...I could be mistaken - what is your take/advice/recommendation??
 
Hey Peter,

What about some Turban Snails? They quite efficient and they eat Algae off the rocks, glass, sand, everywhere really :) Pretty efficient lil buggers...
Or perhaps a Bi-Colour Blennie? They also eat Algae just about anywhere and they pretty to look at :)
 
Nixxon said:
Hey Peter,

What about some Turban Snails? They quite efficient and they eat Algae off the rocks, glass, sand, everywhere really :) Pretty efficient lil buggers...
Or perhaps a Bi-Colour Blennie? They also eat Algae just about anywhere and they pretty to look at :)
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I an not familiar with Turban Snails...
Turbo Snails I can do, but a snail without it's turban, well, that's snot good at all...:lol:

I know what you meant.
 
ROFL MY BAD... Its been a long day... and lets be honest, at this point my fingers are typing way behind where my head is at :)

Hopefully it was still a helpful suggestion ;)
 
I have been threatening to get a "supa snail" for a while. These realy slow and sluggish (no pun intended) creatures moving at hyper speed amuse me endlessly in the LFS's...I might just get a few, like 1 or 2...
 
Yeah thats a good plan! If you had a bigger system a Tiger Cowrie would be awesome :) They SUPER DUPER efficient ;) And surprisingly FAST :D

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Hi Petel, try getting a orange spot goby. They are great in that they sift sand through their gills 18 hours a day. Unlike the yellow head goby who swimss off after taking a mothful, the orange spots like to lie still and filter sand. Dont worry too miuch about rockfalls. I have had orange spots for over 2 years now and haven't had a full fall - some leaning over of rocks but not a full fall.
Besides, resetting your rocks is a small price to pay for sparkling white sand all the time. Good luck in tracking one down. Try also get a small one, as they grow quickly.
 
I will take a look around after I have exhaused the search for a Tiger Cowrie...any of the sponsers who look though here - please let me know if you can get one and what sort of price are these little guys??
 
Hey Peter,

They really cool, would just read up about then because you could probably keep it for a short while if you could get a juvinile but if memory serves they can get quite big and it might out grow 250l pretty quick...

Will check with my LFS if caetcet another one, just let you know if you still keen ;)
 
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Diamond Watchman Goby (Valenciennea puellaris) QUICK STATS Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025 Max. Size: 6" Color Form: Orange, White Diet: Carnivore Compatibility: View Chart Origin: Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu Family: Gobiidae
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get one of these , your rocks are solid on the ground im sure it will be ok , my one does dig holes but then he closes it after a day or so
 
He closes the hole or you do - I am very weiry about that fish. It is a cleaner but the concern is the tunneling under the rocks like yours had done. I would rather look at more in the lines of Torbo's and Stars and so on, things which don't cause trouble in a tank. The right size and breed of hermits may not be a bad idea either, the little critters which I have in my sump are not right for the job, hence being in my sump...

Any others with info on great cleaners?
 
PeterL said:
He closes the hole or you do he does - I am very weiry about that fish. It is a cleaner but the concern is the tunneling under the rocks like yours had done he has never caused a rock fall to date . I would rather look at more in the lines of Torbo's and Stars and so on, things which don't cause trouble in a tank where does he cause trouble he is the most mellow little dude i know. The right size and breed of hermits may not be a bad idea either, the little critters which I have in my sump are not right for the job, hence being in my sump...

Any others with info on great cleaners?
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wont hermits shift rocks around or bump them over
 
Potentially yes, it is why I currenty don't have any in my system.
I know my rockwork is pretty stable - everything is wedged into the next thing which prevents basic rock knocks to cause a tumble, but pulling the foundation out from under anything will make it fall.

I will do some more investigation into some of the cleaners and take it from there. It is also dependant on what the LFS's/sponsors have and or can get in the not too distant future.
 
I can higly recommend a Lawnmower Blenny.

Read that a Diamond Goby does not move rocks so much. On my wishlist.
 
robertkukla said:
wont hermits shift rocks around or bump them over
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Only if you get the normal hermits that gets big.
I got 3 dwarf blue legged hermits and they are all over my tank and they leave my snails alone and they walk on my corals and eat the dirt between the coral with out damaging them. They are very cool guys.
 
clown said:
Only if you get the normal hermits that gets big.
I got 3 dwarf blue legged hermits and they are all over my tank and they leave my snails alone and they walk on my corals and eat the dirt between the coral with out damaging them. They are very cool guys.
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i think he has those hermits in his sump
 
The best thing I've ever used to clean your sand is Macropharyngodon Bipartitus (Divided wrasse) Reason being is it goes into the sand and makes a small cloud lifting all the detritus algea into suspension, it & all the other tank fish then go around and eat everything that gets back into the water column... even the corals seem to like this! my sand was hectic now it is pure white!
 
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