sand bed critter question

[SNC]

I have a dsb and I'm getting ready to replenish my stock of sand critters.
what I would like to know from 'yous guys' is, what are your recommendations
for a dsb... what kind of critters and how many... I have:

125g tank with about 4" bed in front sloping up to 6" in rear
95g refugium with about 4" bed that measures 30"X24"

Occupants in tank:
1 purple tang
1 coral beauty
1 bi-color blenny
1 lawnmower blenny
2 percula clown fish (pair)
4 cardinals
2 sand sifter starfish
1 large red brittle star
2 xenia
numerous corals

**problems**
I'm getting a lot of bubble algae
there are a couple of areas in my dsb that almost look like the sand is
starting to form a top layer that is hard.. about 1/8" thick with a green
tint to it

would I be better off just sticking to a package deal at an online supply?

any help would be greatly appreciated

thank you for your input and taking the time to read this

SNC

[Pszemol]

"SNC" > wrote in message ...
> I have a dsb and I'm getting ready to replenish my stock of sand critters.
> what I would like to know from 'yous guys' is, what are your recommendations
> for a dsb... what kind of critters and how many... I have:

Get yourself familiar with all "sticky" threads on top by dr Shimek
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=40

> 2 sand sifter starfish

Replenishing sandbed critters will be useless if you keep
predatory starfish sifting sand eating everything live out there.

> I'm getting a lot of bubble algae

You mean Valonia? I heard some tangs and emerald crabs will eat it.

> there are a couple of areas in my dsb that almost look like the sand is
> starting to form a top layer that is hard.. about 1/8" thick with a green
> tint to it

Looks like the starfish is not very helpful sifting sand...
Maybe addition of sand-eating cucumber will help?
I have in my 30g tank with a thin sand bed two yellow sea cucumbers
probably originating from Florida. I have seen also black/pink ones...
They put sand in, digest algal/bacterial film on the grains and
excrete clean sand mixed with inorganic powder, like pulverized sand...

> would I be better off just sticking to a package deal at an online supply?

Best idea would be to buy couple pounds of "live sand"...
You are mostly interested in getting micro-animals, not hermits
or other predators for DSB fauna.

> any help would be greatly appreciated
>
> thank you for your input and taking the time to read this

The best investment you will do reading dr Shimek articles.
It is too much data to duplicate all of this here...
He is marine zoologist, specialist on marine invertebrates.
He knows the stuff...

[SNC]

thank you for the link.... im 'sifting' through it now... :-)


"Pszemol" > wrote in message
...
> "SNC" > wrote in message
...
> > I have a dsb and I'm getting ready to replenish my stock of sand
critters.
> > what I would like to know from 'yous guys' is, what are your
recommendations
> > for a dsb... what kind of critters and how many... I have:
>
> Get yourself familiar with all "sticky" threads on top by dr Shimek
> http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=40
>
> > 2 sand sifter starfish
>
> Replenishing sandbed critters will be useless if you keep
> predatory starfish sifting sand eating everything live out there.
>
> > I'm getting a lot of bubble algae
>
> You mean Valonia? I heard some tangs and emerald crabs will eat it.
>
> > there are a couple of areas in my dsb that almost look like the sand is
> > starting to form a top layer that is hard.. about 1/8" thick with a
green
> > tint to it
>
> Looks like the starfish is not very helpful sifting sand...
> Maybe addition of sand-eating cucumber will help?
> I have in my 30g tank with a thin sand bed two yellow sea cucumbers
> probably originating from Florida. I have seen also black/pink ones...
> They put sand in, digest algal/bacterial film on the grains and
> excrete clean sand mixed with inorganic powder, like pulverized sand...
>
> > would I be better off just sticking to a package deal at an online
supply?
>
> Best idea would be to buy couple pounds of "live sand"...
> You are mostly interested in getting micro-animals, not hermits
> or other predators for DSB fauna.
>
> > any help would be greatly appreciated
> >
> > thank you for your input and taking the time to read this
>
> The best investment you will do reading dr Shimek articles.
> It is too much data to duplicate all of this here...
> He is marine zoologist, specialist on marine invertebrates.
> He knows the stuff...