Sand turning brown!

[hobogato]

well, i have three right now in the 240 gal. more than likely i will get rid of two of them in the near future, once my tank finishes settling in (cyano and diatoms right now that the stars are really helping with). will probably try to trade em for something. ill let you know.

[cbianco]

I currently have 4 nassarius snails in my tank. They are good at moving sand around but become stagnent if the tank is not fed (every once in a while). However, if you have fish that you feed regularly they will come out and greet you at every feeding!

Jim, wouldn't a fighting conch be a bit large for the 12 gallon tank? From my expereinces conches tend to redecorate the tank (re: move stuff around by bumping into stuff) since they are so large. I have to admitt that I have never owned a this particular conch. On a different note it was interesting reading Wet Web Media RE: sand sifting stars. I did not realize that they deplete the sand's fauna so easily, it was a good read.

Christopher

[JimD]

I think youre thinking about the Queen conch, Queens have long protruding spikes at the large end of its shell, the Fighters are more smooth, they tend to get much larger than the Fighting conch and will in fact 'redecorate' Fighting conches on the other hand will hardly ever venture out of the sand and dont tend to get nearly as large. For a 12 gallon with a sandbed, one small Fighting conch and four or five of the small green Nassarious, or two of the larger ones shoud be fine as long as the tank is being fed.

[jap1]

Thanks for the link. I had no idea about the sand sifters. I should've done my research first. I was at Aquatic Warehouse and just bought it on a whim. I know I shouldn't do that. I guess I'll leave him in there a couple more weeks and then maybe give him away. I'll let you know if I do, Fishcrazy.