cleanup crew and nitrates

[rdf128]

Was hoping someone here could tell me what level the nitrate should be
before i can add a cleanup crew, and at what level will it kill the crew.
Thanks,
Ryan

 

[mbrands]

Is this a newly cycled tank? If so, I've always heard/recommended to only add a few cleaners when the ammonia and nitrites are zero. If a few cleaners do fine, add a few more a week later.
Doing a water change at the end of your cycle will help to drop the nitrate level.

 

[wax32]

I waited until I had my diatom bloom to add my cleaners.

 

[carshark]

Originally Posted by wax32
I waited until I had my diatom bloom to add my cleaners.

probably the best idea...if they have nothing to eat.....they wont make it anyway

 

[rdf128]

Well i had the diatom bloom, and the nitrates were like 10-50 (bad test kit). So i added the crew doing the proper acclimation procedure. But after a week ( and a spike in my nitrates )alot of the scarlet hermits have died, and red tip hermits... but the astrea snails are all doing fine... just cant figure what it could be.
Ryan

 

[wax32]

Might want to have a good LFS test your water. Something isn't right. Simple nitrates shouldn't kill hermits.

 

[drea]

i have never had problems w/ inverts for 3 yrs (snails, crabs, hermits)
i never acclimated any, and add whenever, the only ones that die are when they fight or puffer eats them.......