Sand Sifting Star a bad idea?

[lferg]

My lfs todl me today that a Sand Sifting Star would be a great addition to my FOWRL system to clean up debris on the sand bed. I have about 3 -5" of live sand. I just read that this star can totally rob the live sand bed of ALL nutrients. System is a 55g and I only want one just to clean up things. A) Won't my live sand replenish it self of nutrients. B) didn't I buy Live Sand only to help with the tanks cycle? C) Is a Sand Star a poor choice for me?

 

[Grins]

Did you hit send too soon?

 

[lferg]

I did. oops.. It should be fixed now, Been a long day.

 

[Ace25]

Sand sifting star is a bad choice for any aquarium quite frankly. They need something rediculous, like 12'x12' of sandbed just to think of surviving. They always starve to death in tanks.

 

[Grins]

:iagree: I'd look at other cleaners as well as checking for the source of any trouble with the surface of the substrate.

 

[lferg]

Source is a smaller green spotted puffer. It's just poo thats on the surface that troubles me. LFS also suggested a powerhead just like you guys did so thats coming this weekend...