Best CUC?

brokendeck

brokendeck

Active Member
What is the best CUC you could have in a reef tank? i want to stock my 75 gallon with the best CUC you could have. Also please put the QTY on each snail crab etc. Im about to order from SWF as soon as I get a good list. So I need helps guys. Also the tank is a reef tank, so reefsafe only.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I'm probably overthinking this but is the tank established or new? This would determine the numbers I would add.
 
brokendeck

brokendeck

Active Member
well the LR was out of my tank i had set up for 2 years. all i did was upgrade my tank with the built in overflows and a better grade sand. so kinda sorta new i guess. just wondering bc i dont have any CUC yet.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I hate hermit crabs and refuse to keep them in my reefs anymore.
For a 75G reef, this is what I'd do:
20 Nassarius
20 Nerites
25 Trochus
15 Astreas
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
5 Peppermint shrimp
This is what I would start with and see how things go. I have no luck with Cerith snails so I've stopped recommending them.
I also like to have some of my fish add to my CUC, such as a blenny, etc.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
They are oppurtunistic omnivores, aka, they kill snails for sport. I've added extra shells, etc, they still kill my snails, especially my nassarius. I've also caught hermits shredding through soft corals like they're candy. And when they get large, they're clumsy and knock frags over (which is why I also don't like turbos). IMO, hermits are not needed to have a good CUC in a reef.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brokendeck http:///forum/thread/385850/best-cuc#post_3386194
what ab emerald crabs?
Eh, they're okay, but I do not keep them in my tank for similar reasons to the hermits. The only crabs I have in my tanks anymore are a Pom Pom Crab (simply because I can't catch him, I know he's in the tank, but never see him other than a molt) and a Porcelain Anemone Crab.
 
gemmy

gemmy

Active Member
I hate hermits in a reef because they kill snails for fun, can knock over corals, and sometimes pinch fish. I had a crab severely injury a goby awhile back. Poor guy couldn't sift sand anymore.
 
1guydude

1guydude

Well-Known Member
i have a mix of SMALL hermits....blue ones, dark red ones, and white ones.....I did throw some extra shells in their and havent had a problem. The lgr ones are the bad ones! Deff get snails though, margaritas, sm turbos, and astreias are great part of the cuc....I love my emeralds as well... The males can get a lil fiesty with each other but i have seen them mate and the female release eggs...I have 3 in my 36gal! I enjoy my banded seaserpent as well....stays in the dark and cracks but kool, you can spot feed em once in awhile!
imoe
btw dont forget the narrius snails for the sand...i have one in my smaller tank with sm gravel but i think they prefer the sand!
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Margarita snails do not live long term in our tanks. They can't tolerate the temperature or salinity long term. I definitely do not recommend them.
 
old hickory

old hickory

Member
With my limited experience, take my advice with a grain of salt (or dash of saltwater, if you'd rather), but I cannot imagine my tank being nearly as clean as it is without my Turbo Snails.
 
monsinour

monsinour

Active Member
My margaritas seem to be doing ok. The one cerith I have is named possum for obvious reasons. THe snails I seem to have a problem with are trochus. I only have 1 left from the 6 i got. Astrea snails are doin fine for me and the 2 turbos are ok as well. I got like 6 limpets as hitchers and now i have like 12 of them. no crabs for me. Skunk cleaner in DT and pepp in sump, until he gets big enough to go into the DT.
 
1guydude

1guydude

Well-Known Member
hmm ya i can see wat u mean bout the magaritas...i came home one day and found one turned over. He never really recovered! Eventually my narris snails made lunch out of him!
 
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