Sand sifting star

[deynon09]

I just ran across a thread that says that a sand sifting star isn't really good in anything less than a 500 gallon and could potentially crash my tank. Is this true and if so, what should I do with him? Would anyone want to trade for a frag or just take him?

 

[cobraz]

Oh they are very bad for your tank.. I'll be right over to get him...LOL J/K

They are fine - in a 55 gallon or larger, they will be just fine. Keep in mind to glue down your frags as he can move them or tip them over.

A picture would help to identify the type of star it is.

 

[jprince]

I have had one in my 45 for about 6 months with no problems.

 

[jsrnec]

I have 1 in my 125, he is a pig!!

 

[deynon09]

Will he go through all the bacteria in the 30 gallon too quick? At what point could I put him in the 75? I want him to have enough to eat.

Here is a picture.

 

[JohnK]

The problem is that if your keeping a DSB and want the diversity / healthy denitrivores that come with one.

Sand sifting stars will decimate the micorfauna in a DSB rendering it a stagnant pile of sand. The 500gal reccomendation is because it's thought that with that kind of volume, the misc fauna in the sandbed should be able to repopulate itself quickly enough to keep up with a sand sifting stars eating.

What kind of set up (sand substrate wise that is) do you have?

If you have a little sand, but not a functioning DSB, it may not be so bad. If you are running a DSB, that guy is a big no no.

 

[deynon09]

No, I don't have a dsb. Mine is realistically 2" CC. In my 75, probably 2.5-3". What technically is a dsb?

 

[theone]

Mine has been in a 50G with a 1" SB for close to a year with no problems.

I think a DSB starts at around 4"

 

[deynon09]

that's what I read... Because of flow in my new 75, some parts of the sand bed are 3.5". Do you think that would be a problem?