I'm considering getting a sand sifting star, because of their ability to CLEAN the sand. I need something to actually clean, and not stir like the nassarius snails do. I have a good amount of Nassarius snails, and I hate that the sand has detritus and stuff in it, and I don't want anything building up. The sand is about an inch. I have a 32.5 gallon long tank. Tank is 1.5 years old.
I got a conch (it had no eyes) and it only lasted about a week. I acclimated it VERY well too, and it seemed to burrow in the sand, but did not look/act 100% which was weird.
Anyways. I have heard these guys clean the sand TOO well. But is there a big drawback to that? I get a lot of microfauna will be eaten, but isn't that not that bad if it means that the starfish will eat the good and bad, and will keep it nice and clean?? I'm willing to feed the starfish occasionally to make sure it doesn't starve, but am I overlooking a major element to them cleaning the sand 'too' well?
Or should I just get another conch and just make sure it is in better shape before I buy it.
I got a conch (it had no eyes) and it only lasted about a week. I acclimated it VERY well too, and it seemed to burrow in the sand, but did not look/act 100% which was weird.
Anyways. I have heard these guys clean the sand TOO well. But is there a big drawback to that? I get a lot of microfauna will be eaten, but isn't that not that bad if it means that the starfish will eat the good and bad, and will keep it nice and clean?? I'm willing to feed the starfish occasionally to make sure it doesn't starve, but am I overlooking a major element to them cleaning the sand 'too' well?
Or should I just get another conch and just make sure it is in better shape before I buy it.