Clean-Up Crew For My Tank?

[blutang]

I'm starting to have a small hair algae problem, and I'm going to go get a clean-up crew for my tank. What should I get and how many. I am definitely considering turbo snails, and hermits. I am also wondering if the turbo snails will clean my rock as well. Thanks guys!

 

[carrie1429]

Turbo snails don't really clean algea off rocks very good but they do a good job on the glass. I think the trochus snails (mexican snails) do a great job in cleaning algae off rocks, they are a bit more expensive than the turbos but they clean better IMO. For hair algea hermit crabs and emerald crabs do a great job. I think sally light foot crabs do too, For a 46 gal I would reccommend about 25 hermit crabs, 30 snails, sally light foot crab (if wanted). Also I had a cleaner shrimp that ate hair algea too.

 

[blutang]

Should I worry about the Flame Hawk eating the Emerald Crab?

 

[carrie1429]

I've read that the flame hawks will occasionally eat hermits and snails although I've never had any personal experience with them so I don't know for sure, depends on the fish mostly, some hawks will eat them and some won't, hit and miss.

 

[battlecat316]

You should worry about the puffer making a quick meal of the snails and the hermits.

 

[blutang]

I've actually been told that the Valentini will not be that agressive as long as its kept feed....is that wrong?

 

[carrie1429]

It depends on the fish, maybe it would want to have a little snack before his regular meal? You never really know what the fish is going to do. Example: When you have breakfast, luch and dinner sometimes don't you like to have little "snacks" in between meals? Fish do too so its really maybe he will and maybe he won't.

 

[angelofish]

Try not to get the snails with the cone shaped shells. They can't turn themselves over when they fall off the inside glass. They'll become a quick snack for crabs if youre not there to turn them over.