Nano Sand-Sifters

Surskit · May 23, 2022

Hello! I was looking for a new sand-sifter for my clean-up crew in my 20g, as my conch recently passed away. I obviously have some ideas, primarily a brittle/serpant star, another conch, or a sandsifting star, but I was wondering if there were any more oddball suggestions! I really like oddballs, especially with inverts, so I'd be very happy to hear what others may have in mind.

blaxsun · May 23, 2022

Another conch, nassarius snails, cerith snails, sea cucumbers...

JoJosReef · May 23, 2022

Had an exchange with John at ReefCleaners for my sand's GHA and he suggested something called a bear conch from his listing of Assorted Small Conches. Have one coming on Tuesday and will report back on how it does. Will be going into an Evo 13.5g, along with a few more ceriths, and 2 or 3 Nassarius vibex. I expect that'll keep the sand turning.

travisty282 · Jan 11, 2023

JoJosReef said:
Had an exchange with John at ReefCleaners for my sand's GHA and he suggested something called a bear conch from his listing of Assorted Small Conches. Have one coming on Tuesday and will report back on how it does. Will be going into an Evo 13.5g, along with a few more ceriths, and 2 or 3 Nassarius vibex. I expect that'll keep the sand turning.

How did that conch work out for you? I have the same tank.

JoJosReef · Jan 11, 2023

travisty282 said:
How did that conch work out for you? I have the same tank.

I love the conch(es). They are quite active, both of them now. I had a "fighting" conch from Dr. Reef and the "bear" conch from ReefCleaners and they clean up the sand really well. When one of my zoa frags plugs gets overrun with GHA, I put it in the sand bed and they clean it up. They also get the lower parts of the rocks and stretch their trunks pretty far to get GHA--if only they could get to the top of the rocks!

travisty282 · Jan 11, 2023

JoJosReef said:
I love the conch(es). They are quite active, both of them now. I had a "fighting" conch from Dr. Reef and the "bear" conch from ReefCleaners and they clean up the sand really well. When one of my zoa frags plugs gets overrun with GHA, I put it in the sand bed and they clean it up. They also get the lower parts of the rocks and stretch their trunks pretty far to get GHA--if only they could get to the top of the rocks!

That's awesome! I need a good sand cleaner. The rocks are handled by my urchin. Thanks!