Need advice on sandbed "stirrers"

[russelas]

I have just set up a new reef and for the first time i have used a very fine deep sand bed. I was wondering what type of starfish, crabs, snails, and fish are the best for strring the sand bed. I know enought to know that goby's and starfish are very popular, but are certain species better.

Any other advice....

Thanks, Andy

 

[MattM]

You don't need "sand stirrers". As long as you don't overdose on kalkwasser, your sand will stay loose all by itself.

Most of these sand sifting creatures (gobies, white starfish, etc.) are bad news for a live sand bed. Why are they sifting the sand? To eat all the microfauna that lives there!

 

[russelas]

Whay are they so popular in most of the reefs i have seen. what about crabs and snails.

 

[EmilyB]

You are maybe wanting something to clean the top of the sand. In my 155g my tigertail cuke and orange knobby star stand out for detritus removal. For the health of the sandbed, some livesand will help, even sharing with other reefers who have worms, etc. established in their sandbed. You don't want to have the sandbed disturbed beyond surface cleaning, IMO. I found my turbos help as well.