How many Nassarius snails do I need?

[TWYOUNG]

I have a 5' x 2' tank with 7 Nassarius snails and 2 sand sifting stars yet my sand surface never looks white. Do I have enough turnover or can I add snails?

 

[Duane family]

Have you ever considered a sand sifting goby ? My opinion is that they are significantly more efficient at turning over sand than anything else.

 

[exnisstech]

I've never been able to keep sand white so I switched to barebottom. I was just reading about white sand yesterday and what I gathered is manual cleaning along with patience is key. Some folks say it can take up to a year. It seems like it just another part of the uglies. This is one thread

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-keeps-your-sand-bed-white.1077687/#post-12950274
In my 180g 72x24x24 I used to buy Nassarius off ebay in lots of 50. It was fun watching them come up out of the sand when they smelled food.

 

[ReneReef]

Have you considered that our image of white sand may be skewed by travel brochures filled with pictures of white sandy beaches? The beach where wave action constantly turns over the sand keeping it white.

In areas where that doesn't happen, or other forms of strong (tidal) current are absent, sand is not as white.

We turn our flow down to keep the sand in place, but having flow move sand around is how nature keeps it white.

 

[Doctorgori]

just info but Also be advised these snails come in two sizes so 20 “ Tongan” isn’t the same as 20 vibrex or 20 of the larger/similar babylon snails

 

[TWYOUNG]

Have you ever considered a sand sifting goby ? My opinion is that they are significantly more efficient at turning over sand than anything else.

I had one for a few months before it somehow escaped through the netting of my lid. Apparently 1/4 c 1/8" wasn't small enough. I did find it tended to stay in one area of the tank turning over that area but leaving the rest undisturbed. I've also heard many have express concerns about them pilling sand on low lying corals.

 

[TWYOUNG]

just info but Also be advised these snails come in two sizes so 20 “ Tongan” isn’t the same as 20 vibrex or 20 of the larger/similar babylon snails

Mine are about 1" long.

 

[TWYOUNG]

I've never been able to keep sand white so I switched to barebottom. I was just reading about white sand yesterday and what I gathered is manual cleaning along with patience is key. Some folks say it can take up to a year. It seems like it just another part of the uglies. This is one thread

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/what-keeps-your-sand-bed-white.1077687/#post-12950274
In my 180g 72x24x24 I used to buy Nassarius off ebay in lots of 50. It was fun watching them come up out of the sand when they smelled food.

I saw a video recently of someone churning up their sand with a turkey baster prior to using coral snow so I've started doing that in small sections weekly.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Have you ever considered a sand sifting goby ? My opinion is that they are significantly more efficient at turning over sand than anything else.

I absolutely agree 100% with this! I have a diamond goby and that is all he does! He moves sand constantly!

 

[Uncle99]

7 is fine.
My sand is “white” and I have not touched it in years.
It’s not as much the snails, but the stuff you can’t mostly see which does that.

I have nothing sifting sand but some snails. Starfish just consume everything fast and melt.

The good guy algae’s and bacteria’s keep rocks and sand clean, but they take a bit of time to get into sufficient populations to do that. Seems best ones are the slowest.

Excellent stable water chemistry and feeding the system, can speed that process. But they will come.

 

[exnisstech]

I absolutely agree 100% with this! I have a diamond goby and that is all he does! He moves sand constantly!

They are great but not so great if keeping corals on the bottom. I rehomed mine because it was covering the corals with sand.

 

[Sophie"s mom]

They are great but not so great if keeping corals on the bottom. I rehomed mine because it was covering the corals with sand.

OH MY! Yes, I can see that being an issue for sure. I do not have any corals on the bottom, so mine just goes crazy.

 

[kvansloo]

Get 2 tiger conchs. I have one in my 90 and he is all over the place going to get a 2nd one so he has assistance. Sometimes buries himself and always moving and eating.

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

So if you're after white sand I think you're targeting the wrong creature for the job.

Nassarius snails are great for going after leftover food, accidentally dead creatures, and detritus; however, they do not eat the sand. They do turn it up a little bit as they bury and and un-bury themselves but that is about the only impact they have on your sand bed.

I would recommend cucumbers instead. I prefer yellow cucumbers but tiger cucumbers work too. I have two yellows in my 8' x 2' 240 gal and my sand is almost always spotless as they are constantly eating and filtering the top layer of sand.

Some people prefer the goby route, which does work, but take this warning, once you add a goby the sand bed is forever the goby to scape as they see fit. It's no longer yours, so if you don't want it mounded it up it some spots and completely gone from others then a goby may not be the best option for you. They are also known for burying any low lying or sand dwelling corals

 

[BetteMidler]

What type of sand do you have? I used "Special Grade Arag-Alive! Reef Sand." I did spend several hours rinsing it clear before starting my tank over a year ago. Seems to just stay white with no effort. I do have a few Florida Ceriths & Nassarius snails. They don't clean the sand, just burrow in it.

 

[GARRIGA]

Had a dozen nassarius in a 20g and that did nothing although was using TLF Reborn and perhaps why but don't think adding more would help. However, occasional disturbance with a powerhead or turkey baster solved it.

 

[TWYOUNG]

What type of sand do you have? I used "Special Grade Arag-Alive! Reef Sand." I did spend several hours rinsing it clear before starting my tank over a year ago. Seems to just stay white with no effort. I do have a few Florida Ceriths & Nassarius snails. They don't clean the sand, just burrow in it.

I have the same sand.

 

[TWYOUNG]

So if you're after white sand I think you're targeting the wrong creature for the job.

Nassarius snails are great for going after leftover food, accidentally dead creatures, and detritus; however, they do not eat the sand. They do turn it up a little bit as they bury and and un-bury themselves but that is about the only impact they have on your sand bed.

I would recommend cucumbers instead. I prefer yellow cucumbers but tiger cucumbers work too. I have two yellows in my 8' x 2' 240 gal and my sand is almost always spotless as they are constantly eating and filtering the top layer of sand.

Some people prefer the goby route, which does work, but take this warning, once you add a goby the sand bed is forever the goby to scape as they see fit. It's no longer yours, so if you don't want it mounded it up it some spots and completely gone from others then a goby may not be the best option for you. They are also known for burying any low lying or sand dwelling corals

Aren't sea cucumbers one of those critters who can poison a tank if they die?

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Aren't sea cucumbers one of those critters who can poison a tank if they die?

I have not had that experience with yellow or tiger sea cucumbers.

I've heard that about the Sea Apple - which is a sea cucumber.

 

[BristleWormHater]

So if you're after white sand I think you're targeting the wrong creature for the job.

Nassarius snails are great for going after leftover food, accidentally dead creatures, and detritus; however, they do not eat the sand. They do turn it up a little bit as they bury and and un-bury themselves but that is about the only impact they have on your sand bed.

I would recommend cucumbers instead. I prefer yellow cucumbers but tiger cucumbers work too. I have two yellows in my 8' x 2' 240 gal and my sand is almost always spotless as they are constantly eating and filtering the top layer of sand.

Some people prefer the goby route, which does work, but take this warning, once you add a goby the sand bed is forever the goby to scape as they see fit. It's no longer yours, so if you don't want it mounded it up it some spots and completely gone from others then a goby may not be the best option for you. They are also known for burying any low lying or sand dwelling corals

Can you post pics of the cucumbers you have? I'm trying to find them, but searching "yellow sea cucumber" just gives me the filter feeding kind.
Thank you!