Siphoning substrate w/sand

[Aquaskilz]

I have Arragomax sand in my 30 gal tank that Im begining. What is the best way to clean debris from this substrate? Will siphoning this substrate suck up all the sand?

[kreblak]

Perhaps not all the sand, but certainly some of it will be sucked up by a siphon hose. I would suggest getting some detrivores like hermit crabs and various worms that will sift through the sand in search of rotting meals.

[Aquaskilz]

Thanks kreblak.

[SamsonNY]

Sorry for jumping in on your thread, Aquaskilz.

Kreblak,

I have Estes marine sand (not sugar sized) and triggers / puffers.

Do you think I can use hermit crabs and / or worms etc. in my tank or will they just get picked-off?

:confused:

[kreblak]

I have kept hermits with triggers and they have been all right. I lost a few, but they were spaced out over a few months, and when you have 10 to 15 hermits, you don't miss a couple so much. I just made sure the trigger was well fed!

It is my understanding that puffers will turn any hermit crab into lunch. Oriongirl has some good knowledge on this. I have never kept a puffer, but I know someone who has a large (9 inches) grey puffer that whacked every one of his snails within a week of being placed in the tank. I would assume that the same could be expected for hermits.

[SamsonNY]

Thanks Kreblak.