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Turbostud653 
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Joined: March 26 2008
Location: Spanish Fork
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 Topic: Dirty Sand
Posted: January 05 2009 at 9:39am |
Hey,
My sand is very dirty and was thinking of getting some snails. What would be the better choice; nassarious snails or bumble bee snails? Please let me know Thanks.
Edited by Turbostud653 - January 05 2009 at 9:40am
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Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: January 05 2009 at 3:00pm |
Neither. Nassarrius scavenge for food lying on the sand. Bumblebee snails eat algae on the rock and glass. There are many reasons for sand to be "dirty". Most of them are reasons to believe that your tank is becoming more mature and healthy. If the sand is getting a dark surface, that is normal growth of algae and bacteria on the sand surfaces and snails will not make any difference. If the sand is getting filled with detritus, still the snails won't make any noticeable difference. If there are spaghetti worms in the sand, that can help, but the best way to keep the sand looking clean is to turn over the top layer from time to time. Take a stick and stir the top half inch to turn over the sand so that the clean underside is showing. You could also do a small amount of Gravel Vacuuming of the top 1/2" to clean up detritus and turn the sand over. Some hobbyists may chime in and suggest a Sand Sifting Star. I would not place one of those in any tank smaller than 55 and would never leave them in any tank longer than a month or two. They can totally strip the sand bed of the microfauna that is so important to filtration. Just the other day I went to a neighbors home to discuss some Xenia he wanted to give away. While there he asked my opinion about the darkness starting to color his sand. Unfortunately I had to inform him that he has a bad flatworm problem.  I hope that's not your problem too. Please show us a pic of the sand to be sure we are addressing the problem correctly.
Edited by Mark Peterson - January 05 2009 at 3:15pm
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Turbostud653
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Posted: January 05 2009 at 3:13pm |
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i'll get a pic tonight of my sand.
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Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands.
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Andreason
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Posted: January 05 2009 at 3:45pm |
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I have a cuke and maybe 6 nassy snails in my 90. It is very lightly stocked right now and they seem to do a fine job. I agree with Mark that a sand sifter needs a big tank.
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Andreason's
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: January 05 2009 at 5:39pm |
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Thanks Andreason, a sand sifting cucumber is one of the things I do find very beneficial and much easier on the tank.
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Posted: January 06 2009 at 4:07pm |
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I have a cucumber and i love him, he has cleaned up the sand quite nicely, its still "dirty" but not as it was, he keeps the sand stiring.
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Turbostud653
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Posted: January 07 2009 at 1:24am |
Here is my tank. I was using my moms point and shoot camera. Anyways, I wonder if I do have a flat worm problem or is it just dirty?
I have taken a new pic. ITs a close-up of my Sand bed. I wanted you t oknow what you think?
Edited by Turbostud653 - January 11 2009 at 11:57pm
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Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: January 07 2009 at 12:13pm |
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Yes, please clean the glass inside and outside and take a new pic.
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Mike Savage
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Posted: January 07 2009 at 8:13pm |
I agree. It is tough to tell through the glass.
Mike
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jdmckell
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Posted: January 11 2009 at 7:06pm |
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Dude, your sand isn't dirty... it just looks like it cause your glass is soo dirty.
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Turbostud653
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Posted: January 11 2009 at 11:58pm |
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Look up for new pic!
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Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands.
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pa_reptileman_4
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Posted: January 12 2009 at 12:16am |
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your tank is maturing and your getting bacterial growth in the sand bed.
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pitiful guppy tank.
shane
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