gobies clouding my live sand

[noblejames1]

Hello i have a problem with 2 yellow headed gobies clouding my live sand.I have read that sand sifting creatures are a good thing to a LSB, but surely i do not have to put up with a cloudy tank. I only recently purchased these 2 gobies, so i know they are the culprits in this matter. Also very early in the morning, before they wake up, the water is cyrstal clear and will fog up bt the afternoon. My question is, how can i keep my sand bed from clouding the water, short of ejecting these very entertaining pair. I have a hang on the back filter rigged with a generous supply of fine mesh filter floss as well as activated carbon but have met with little sucess. Please help...Arggghh

 

[esmithiii]

What kind of sand do you have? How long has it been in the tank? Usually this is an issue with fairly new sand beds, but as it gets established and bacteria begin to coat the sand then the problem goes away.

Ernie

 

[noblejames1]

thanks for the reply, the sand bed has been in the tank for about 1 month. It is a sugar sand size grain

 

[SPC]

Noble, if the gobies are sifting the sand they are looking for something to eat. What they are actually eating in fact are the worms and critters that you want in the sand. My suggestion if you want a functional sand bed would be to get rid of the gobies and try to increase your sand bed critters.
Steve

 

[naesco]

I agree with SPC. People pay good money for the detritivores your gobies eat.
But if you choose to keep them things will settle down and you can use a mini filter to get rid of the fine stuff even earlier.

 

[noblejames1]

thanks, would the gobies be likely to eat some other frozen or prepared food and not sift so much of my sand bed? My mom has taken quite the liking to these pair and i am lothe to remove them. She is very keen on gobies. What about a shimp goby/ pistol shimp? Are they big sand sifters too? or is that a common trait with all gobies?

 

[SPC]

Noble, only some gobies are sand sifters, many are not. Also, blennies are gobie like in their behavior, you might want to look at them too.
Steve