What are some ways to keep live sand clean?

[Frank A.]

Lobsters,shrimps,crabs,sand sifting sea stars, horseshoe crabs will all clean your "live sand" really well,of everything,except the bacteria. If that's what your calling"live sand"you have nothing to worry about.You can use any or all of them.If you have real live sand with worms and etc.you would be better off using cucs,some types of snails,serpent stars,mini stars,copods,amphipods.Do research so you will know how many of what to use.It's true that when something eats something in our aquariums it still will poop it out and nutrients will still be in the water,but each time something eats this poop(corals or whatever) a little less nutrient is pooped back into the water untill the bacteria take care of it or the algea in your refug. do.Research,research.

 

[nautilus]

Based on previous posts, seems like what comes in will eventually come out, but it could be in much smaller diameter. However, if everyhting else (cleaning crew or other creatres) fails you, then you have to prepare air line tubing or any bigger than that if you wish to, and siphon out any garbage that you see on your sand bed. I would do it with that line going to sump to return the water back. Don't forget to put it on sock or any small micron cloth/fiber to filter the visible garbage, and not coming back to your sytem. You might also employ that to vacuum any pests in your main tank.

 

[NL146]

The reason they are not the solution is cause all the stuff they eat they eventually poop out and the nutrients are right back in the water. You cant even come close to comparing our little glass boxes to the ocean!!

I agree that they are not the total solution, but they certainly are a viable option in the home aquarium. Add to that protein skimming, water changes, etc in our attempt to have a small "slice" of the marine environment.

 

[naples]

get a good cleanup crew with lots of nassarius snails.

+1

 

[fallenlordz]

I say get like 2-3 fighting conch. Thats what I have and my sand is real clean.

 

[Imbarrie]

Nassarius snails and fighting conch. Stay away from sand sifting stars as they deplete everything from your sand bed.
Good flow and nutrient export also.
If you need more then a sand sifting goby can process a lot of sand.

I personally stay away from crabs of any kind.


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[jcolon2]

I have a lot of flow in my tank which helps. Between the protein skimmer, my 2 maxijets (soon to be koralias) and my overflow/return, the water has great flow and less stuff settles on the sandbed. But to help with stuff that does settle, take everyones advice and get nassarius snails. They are excellent. I dislike hermits. I feel they do nothing. My urchins also move the sand around. But deff. a good cleanup crew! And make sure you are runnign a filter sock.