Sand Sifting Creatures?

[Madreefer]

My sand sifting star fish does a good job, I prefer them over a goby because they don't spit sand all over corals.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by naesco

If you are just starting out there is no need to add anything.
What you want is a sand bed thriving with all kinds of critters.
You do not want a lifeless sand bed.
Maybe add a a small conch after six months.

Good call.

[RuGlu6]

Originally Posted by Eb0la11

Just wondering what are some good sand sifting creatures I can add to my reef tank?

Right now I have 2 brittle stars, some nassarius snails, turbo snails, a lawnmower blenny, some BL hermits and 2 clowns. I'm just starting out. Thats all Ive got in a 165G tank so far.

Sand sifting stars will eat all life out of you sand bed so i would Not keep one.
Sand sifting star will do fine as long as there is any life left in the sand, and then it will die.
In short it is a loosing battle to keep sand bed "alive" you need critters and sifters, but after sifters are done with critters the sand is Dead.

So unless you are in the vicinity of the tropical beach and can replace live sand easily i would stay away from the sand.
Its Not an easy choice (sand looks good) but way safer and easier to go bare bottom (BB), because all sand will do is it will accumulate detritus and then it will lead to a tank crash.