Cucumbers

[danskim]

What kind of cucumbers should I get?

Which species have you guys been successful with in keeping sand clean?

[Jager]

What kind of cucumbers should I get?

Which species have you guys been successful with in keeping sand clean?

 

what my store gets in are go,lden sea cucumbers. but sometimes labled as browns. very good sand sifters and such. no issues with corals and such either.

 

ive heard that the tiger cuks seem to do well but i have no personal experiance with them long term.

[smarsh97]

I have 2 tiger tail, one brown, one yellow. They do a fabulous job keeping things clean and they are model citizens. They don't bother anything. They climb the rocks and the glass as well.

 

Sandy

[emissary]

I've had good success with tiger tails. I've got an unknown one at the moment. In general, the "prettier" the more dangerous for your tank and the harder to keep alive is what I've found.

[jamesbuf]

So cucumbers filter the sand bed right? What are the odds that they filter out ich cysts that sink to the bottom after they fall off the fish? I've always wanted one, but read about the horror stories of them taking out peoples tanks.

[Rascal]

I have had good luck with Tiger Tails and "Donkey Dung" cukes. Mine spend all their time on the sand -- never seen them go up the rocks or the glass. I believe they are obligate detrivores, so I can't imagine they would eat ich or any other protozoans. They do a great job keeping the sand clean. Just make sure you know what you are getting. Start here for some pics to help you id: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm.

[emissary]

I have had good luck with Tiger Tails and "Donkey Dung" cukes. Mine spend all their time on the sand -- never seen them go up the rocks or the glass. I believe they are obligate detrivores, so I can't imagine they would eat ich or any other protozoans. They do a great job keeping the sand clean. Just make sure you know what you are getting. Start here for some pics to help you id: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/seacukes.htm.

 

I have owned cukes that walk up the glass or on rocks. And/or into powerheads.

[BeltwayBandit]

I would recommend doing a search on 'cuke nuke' prior to purchasing any cucumber.

 

Here is an article in Advanced Aquarist that touches on the subject:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/jan2003/invert.htm