clean up crew

[orthoboy]

I need to get a clean up crew for my 20g tank in order to clean up the diatoms from the sand and LR. So far I have considered the following:
3 cerith snails
5 scarlet hermits
1 queen conch
3 nassarius snails
1 cleaner shrimp
Any suggestions?

 

[bigarn]

You might want to get 5 more hermits. Other than that, it looks good. If this is a new tank the diatoms will pass once the silicates in the water are used up.

 

[orthoboy]

I did make the mistake using tap water to set up, but I have been using distilled water with the last 2 water changes (approx. 20% water change each time). If I continue doing weekly water changes as mentioned, will the silicates reduce and the diatoms disappear or should I also get the clean up crew?

 

[bigarn]

The cleanup crew will help..... glad you switched from tap water to distilled, but RO water would be best. The diatoms will pass.