Need Opinions on Sand Bed Cleaners

[Leslie]

Feel free to give opinions on this. Here's the setup: I have a 29 gal Eclipse low-tech reef with about 15 lbs. of LR and about 1 1/2 inch sand bed. Corals are the usual hardy variety: mushrooms, polyps, star polyps, Xenia...etc.. Only equipment are two powerheads and a protein skimmer. I had a starfish that died, and understand that they tend to destroy all beneficial critters in the sand. But, where I once had a beautiful sand bed, I now have green algae and what looks like coralline algae growing on the top layer of sand. I've been told that turbo snails are too big for my tank and tend to knock over rocks. I have about six or seven hermit crabs and the same number of Astrea snails. Fish are: purple headed firefish, tomato clown and six lined wrasse. Two shrimp: Peppermint and Scarlet Lady Cleaner. I need something that will take care of the small sand bed.

Of course, I want the perfect animal; one that is the perfect size for my tank, hardy, cheap, lives for years, eats any and all algae, is beautiful and entertaining....(grin - don't we all?) and I need some differing opinions, or, for everyone to say "Oh, that's easy! Get a <fill in the blank>". My main concern is having enough of a food source for whatever animal I get, since my tank is so small. By the way, it's a 13 month old system.

Thanks everyone.
Leslie

 

[fishnbarefoot]

There's a couple of gobies that will keep your sand bed clean but won't clean very deep - in case you have a DSB. I have a yellow headed goby that keeps my sand bed white in a 180 gallon. I had a diamond goby in the past that was also very productive. Some tangs are more productive than others. I also have a Kole tang. Probably one of the most productive tangs but not as popular as some of the more "pretty" tangs. I love him though, he keeps my LR and substrate clean. Both gobies and tangs will also eat frozen food but will keep you tank clean. Just some ideas, Jim.

 

[fishnbarefoot]

Also you might look for the source of the algae. Kind of sounds like cyno. but more detail is needed. Like is it maroon and velvety looking? Either way, I would look at phosphates, light spcetrum, age of bulbs, etc. Just more thoughts, Jim.

 

[Leslie]

I think my tank is too small for a tang, but a Goby would be fine. BUT, would there be enough food in the substrate for a Goby to sustain it for any period of time? My sand bed is only about an inch to an inch and a half deep. Can a Goby handle that?

The green algae is a very dark, emerald green. The tint to the sand looks very much like coralline algae, not red, but pink and is not velvety at all, and it seems to be coating each individual sand grain, unlike the green algae that is clearly growing up and over the sand. It isn't the typical hair algae that I've seen which sort of flows with the current. I do have a flow problem on the side of the tank where the green algae is growing, but I've made some adjustments to the powerheads to improve it. Since it isn't coming back as fast, I'm assuming that has helped. Maybe I should get a third powerhead...

I'm going to do some homework on an emerald crab; I have no knowledge of them, but they are advertised on web sites as part of janitorial crew packages.

Thanks for your feedback.
Leslie

 

[SPC]

Posted by Leslie:
The tint to the sand looks very much like coralline algae, not red, but pink and is not velvety at all, and it seems to be coating each individual sand grain,

-Leslie, what you have described sounds like cyano, is it in a kind of sheet when you go to remove it?
Steve

 

[Michelle50]

My golden head gobbie did an excellent job of cleaning my sandbed, till he decided to go carpet surfing.

 

[montie]

a goby going carpet surfing? heh, i take it you mean floor carpet and not carpet anenome>?