Sandsifting Goby Questions

[Snow_Phoenix]

Hi, I have a 8G Nano cube-ish tank with a Diamond Goby (Valenciennea puellaris) that's around 2.5" long. When I first got him, he had an enlarged head, concave belly and relatively stick-thin body. He was also crammed in a 6G display tank at the LFS with easily 30 over fish and a few dead nems sitting at the bottom. So I took a risk, brought him back home with me and have already kept him with me for almost 2 months. He has fattened up a bit, eats pieces of jumbo shrimp twice a day (tweezer-fed), even steals coral food and eats Hikari Marine S pellets.

 

Needless to say, I'm happy with him and he's doing well. Only one problem - I have a relatively shallow sandbed of 1" or so. So my question is:

 

1. Can I add fresh sand to my current sandbed, or will that start a new cycle on its own?

 

Also, I'll be upgrading my nano to a 2' long which is around 20ish gallons, or am aiming to go for a custom-build that's 30G (but it will be 2' long x 2' high x 1' wide). So my next question is:

 

2. Will I be able to add another small sand-dwelling goby like a Hi-Fin goby + pistol shrimp pair, or do a pink spotted watchman goby (Cryptocentrus leptocephalus) in the same tank with my diamond goby?

 

Thanks in advance for reading this.

[Snow_Phoenix]

Anyone?

[Pinner Reef]

1. As long as the sand is not expired (yes the bag will have an expiration date) there shouldn't be a cycle. If there is, the LR should be able to process your ammonia within short order.

 

2. I wouldn't do it. I highly doubt the two species would fight however they would be cramped in such a small area of sand. Dunno how much territory gobies take up in the ocean but I'm willing to bet it's great than a couple square feet.

 

[Snow_Phoenix]

1. As long as the sand is not expired (yes the bag will have an expiration date) there shouldn't be a cycle. If there is, the LR should be able to process your ammonia within short order.

 

2. I wouldn't do it. I highly doubt the two species would fight however they would be cramped in such a small area of sand. Dunno how much territory gobies take up in the ocean but I'm willing to bet it's great than a couple square feet.

 

 

Okay, noted on both accounts. Thank you, Pinner, for chiming in. My Diamond Goby certainly is territorial - he stands up to my falco hawkfish if the hawkfish swims/perches too close to him. And my Diamond is constantly on the move - he never lingers in one spot. So yes, I guess he'll most likely run into the watchman one day, and it might not end well.

 

As for the sand, in that case - is it safer if I cycle it separately in a different tank first, and then add it to my nano once the cycle is done? This is just to avoid any ammonia spikes - I'm worried even small ones might affect my more sensitive livestock.

[Pinner Reef]

If you are that concerned you could put the in a bucket of SW for a few hrs then test the water. Any Ammonia/Nitrites present would be testable almost instantly. But yes you could cycle it this way as well. just a powerhead a heater (optional) and a handful of your current sand for good measure.

[Snow_Phoenix]

If you are that concerned you could put the in a bucket of SW for a few hrs then test the water. Any Ammonia/Nitrites present would be testable almost instantly. But yes you could cycle it this way as well. just a powerhead a heater (optional) and a handful of your current sand for good measure.

 

Okay, noted as well. Many thanks for the answers.

[hypostatic]

Eh, as long as you keep him fell fed with pellets and stuff, you'll be fine. Adding more sand won't really help much