Best Bottom Dweller To Break Up Fish Waste At Bottom

[didz04]

Hi, I have white silico sand and waste (poo) shows up more but there is no way of going back to black sand since I have set my rocks and will just take too long and will be jus to frustrating to do it all again. I am looking for a bottom dweller that constantly swims around on the floor surface so they can break up the waste. I have a Dora catfish (striped Raphael) however hides most of the time and not sure if he even comes out at night. Just looking for an active bottom dweller like a pictus catfish who would help to break the waste at bottom, and also I need an active bottom dweller.

What could I go for? A pair of Pictus would be the best suggestion I think.

Thanks

 

[minxfishy]

Pictus are pretty good, you dont say what your stocking is or tank size, so that information would help in determining what species are suitable.

 

[fishnovice]

I use Malaysian Trumpet Snails to keep my sand clean. They will sift through sand constantly, eating leftover fishfood, dead plants, uneaten veg, etc. Nothing eats poo though -only water changes and gravel vac will clear that up.

 

[didz04]

I use Malaysian Trumpet Snails to keep my sand clean. They will sift through sand constantly, eating leftover fishfood, dead plants, uneaten veg, etc. Nothing eats poo though -only water changes and gravel vac will clear that up.

How big do these Malaysian Trumpet Snails get and do they reproduce quickly? Its just mainly for the waste to break up more so that it will make it easier for it to clear, normally filter takes them in. I used to have 2 pictus and they did a really good job clearing the bottom, I know they don't actually eat the poop though lol.

This is my stocking:
1 Johanni cichlid
1 Yellow lab
2 Malawi Kenyi cichlids (male & female)
5 Malawi kenya cichlids (babies 1.5cm)
1 Albino cichlid (Red Zebra I think)
2 Pseudotropheus socolofi
1 African congo tinanti cichlid (bottom dweller)
1 Striped Raphael Catfish - doesn't move around much though and normally have to handfeed him as i'm not sure that he eats properly after lights out. Stays inbetween rocks upside down sometimes
1 Tiger loach
1 Sucking loach
2 juwel cichlids
1 lyretail cichlid

 

[fishnovice]

MTsnails grow to about 2cm, thin long shells not round ones. They are hermaphrodite and one snail can reproduce on its own. I got about 12 snails initially. They have reproduced and I now have about 40 but they won't get out of control unless you have excesive waste and uneaten food.
You can get them by post. I think some forum members are giving them away free on Classified -livestock section

 

[Mr Spoon]

Have you thought about adding a circulation pump, it will help to stir the poop up so your filter can suck it up

 

[didz04]

Have you thought about adding a circulation pump, it will help to stir the poop up so your filter can suck it up

First time i seen it today well, actually are they normally used for marine? It could be very useful but the fact that I am already using 5 plugs altogether which seems like enough otherwise i will need another extension wire for more plugs also I think it may cause stress with too much current around, I might attach another pipe on to the end of the filter so the water flow will be extended and might reach the waste on floor once it has bounced from the glass. Still won't mind a bottom dweller thats moves around constantly.

 

[Mr Spoon]

They are usually used in marine but can be used in fresh. A extended pipe on filter outlet may work well. How about Synodontis catfish.

 

[didz04]

They are usually used in marine but can be used in fresh. A extended pipe on filter outlet may work well. How about Synodontis catfish.

I had 2 Synodontis catfishes and they just hid most of the time, only time I saw them was when they were both trying to take over the plecs cave and they used to try squeeze in but the plec always used to put his whole body in front lol and waving his tale stopping them from getting in. Which Synodontis catfish are active where you see them all the time & that can live singularly?
If I did try out the Malaysian snails would they do fine as in no one will bother them or will my loach just eat them?