Clean up CREW!!! PLEASE HELP

koolkev

koolkev

Member
HI!!! I have had my tank set up since March 30 and was wondering when the best time to get a clean up crew? I DON"T have a skimmer yet. I plan on getting one in a week to two weeks, (today is April 3rd)! I have about 4lbs of LR and getting BR pretty soon and 50lbs of southdown. I think I should wait, but how long should I wait? My tank is still a lil cloudy. What should I do?
Thanks in addvance!!!
:confused:

Kevin
aka koolkev
 
donmgicwon

donmgicwon

Member
Don't go over-board on the cleaners like I did (unless you want to feed them) you only need a couple of everything. You don't have to wait that long either. In about 2 weeks you can add hardy things like hermits and snails even a shrimp or two possibly a brittle star.
 
koolkev

koolkev

Member
LOL... Thanks a ton for all the replies, but i have a 30g long and was wondering what kind of crew I should get and how many?!!

Kevin
aka koolkev
 
D

dubbin1

Guest
Right now there is no reason to have a cleanup crew. Wait a few weeks then start thinking about it.
 
koolkev

koolkev

Member
What if algea starts growing is that a sign to get a clean up crew? How do you know when your tank has cycled?!!
Kevin
aka koolkev
 
donmgicwon

donmgicwon

Member
I disagree, they made my nasty lookin rock look good in NO time. I had 114 pounds. you'll only need 2 or 3 hermits and 2 or 3 snails, get Scarlet or whatever you like. I would get a few nassarius too. Don't forget to do 25%-50% water changes twice a week and put more rock in there too.
 
aarmatting

aarmatting

Member
Hello,
I bought my cleanup crew 2 weeks after I set my tank up... I have hermits, snails, sand-sifting star, britle star, and they are all doing great. The only thing is, I might have to buy a bunch more hermits because of my Coral Life light produces algae out the butt. Anyways, good luck with your new tank.:joy:
 
D

dubbin1

Guest

Originally posted by koolkev
How do you know when the water has cycled?!!
Kevin
aka koolkev
When all your levels have spiked and then came back down(around a month or so) and by doing ALOT of research.
Dwayne
 
jess74

jess74

Member
koolkev-
My advice to you would be to do a search on here, try "cycling tank" I don't want to get into an argument here, but I think some of the advice your being given isn't the best. Read, read, and read some more. I could be wrong and someone correct me if I am, but if you do a 25%-50% water change two times a week it will only delay your cycle. I didn't change any water until my tank was finished cycling, then a 20%-25% change. I agree with the other posts, you should wait until your tank has finished its cycle before getting a cleanup crew.
:yes:
Until your tank is stable your water parameters may not support a cleanup crew. From what I've 'heard' tanks cycle differently, some won't get much of an ammonia (and other readings) spike and other tanks will get really high spikes that could kill what you put in there. Just my opinion, but speaking from experience, this is a hobby not to be rushed. If you put livestock in to quickly, you might as well just burn your money. I lost several fish (and snails) because I didn't know better and added them too soon. Good luck with your tank, and remember read as much as you can!
:D
 
donmgicwon

donmgicwon

Member
The major water changes are for curing live rock in you tank. You do that so the still living bacteria in the LR isn't killed off from ammonia poisoning.
 
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