FishProfiles.com Message Forums

I have a 55g with a sand substrate and everybody told me that MTS would b the best thing for my tank to keep the sand loose. How many fricking snails do i need to keep the sand somewhat loose

I have about 30 MTS and growing, but my sand still seems to compact. Most of the time I see the snails on the surface more than in the sand where there are supposed to be.

Are there any other inverts that would help keep the sand loose?

I was thinking clams and a blue crayfish (mostly cause they look cool) but I was hoping a blue cray would maybe keep the surface sand loose.

The only things that I have in the tank are the MTS and 2 clown plecos.

Any advice?

I dont think clams move enough to stir the sand and they have pretty specific needs as far as inverts go. The blue lobsters will eat fish rather than detrius(sp?). I suggest more MTS and cories to keep the top layer loose. Shrimp are also good at keeping leftover food and whatnot at bay. with a 55 gal you can have a lot of inverts helping with the dirty work

ETA: Your snail population will take time to grow as clown loaches enjoy snails

Last edited by katieb at 16-Jul-2005 22:12

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

keep in mind i do not have any clown loaches... just clown plecos

A cray would, but he'd eat your plants and fish too.

Try FW mussels/clams, as they do get around a fair bit and they can dig an inch or more into the substrate.

And feed up a little so your MTS breed, offer them zucchini or something

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Sorry i misread your post

I'll do graffiti,
If you sing to me in French.

I don't know about blue crays but all the crays I've had also tended to carry the sand around rearranging the aquascape. They were quite destructive to a planted tank leaving pits and craters with mountains between them as well as eating anything they could get ahold of green or swimming. Clams will work providing they have enough current to carry food to them and enough small food particles to eat. They tend to starve to death really easy. Some shrimp will sift through the top layer but won't really stir the sand very far down. I wouldn't use inverts in place of stirring it myself just as some help so I don't miss an area.

Last edited by sham at 17-Jul-2005 13:46