Cleanup Crew Necessary?

[osufarker]

I did a search and read some posts, but I still have not reached a definitive answer.
Is a cleanup crew necessary? I am running a 125 gallon FOWLR. If I should get a cleanup crew, what should I get? How beneficial is a cleanup crew for a fish only tank? Also, does the type of substrate you are using effect what type of critters you need?

 

[timo]

You have not reached a definative answer on the use of snails and small crabs in the home saltwater aquarium? And you're actually reading this stuff?
Yes. These small beings are essential to the maintenence of your tank. The amount of each depends on a number of factors.
I suggest more thourough reading related to this subject, and actually see that virtually every successful tank will have some amount of these animals.
There are rules of thumb on numbers of snails and hermit crabs in one's tank based on the gallonage but these elude me now. I suggest a few more snails and a few less crabs than conventionally suggested.

 

[dicemanj]

what about for an aggressive tank. 1 puffer, 1 niger,
125 gal
CC suntrate
What critters could, should i put in. I have all sorts of cleaning crew in my reef tank.
right now i am just syphoning it clean once a week
LET ME KNOW WHAT I CAN USE AS A CLEAN UP CREW
thanks for the help

 

[timo]

You have two fish in a 125?
Anyway, there isn't a whole lot to choose from in this department, except when one discusses the multitude of life found in live rock. If that really is your bioload, look into quality LR from a reputable dealer. It may be all you need, besides good circulation.

 

[dicemanj]

There is also a SFE, about 80lbs of LR. I am going to add a couple other fish shortly, these are my options, spotted puffer, maroon clown, tang, wrasse.

 

[kittykitty]

You DONT need a clean up crew in a fish only tank, as long as you regularly suck up detritus off the sand bed when you do water changes. Even if you did put hermits and snails in your tank, your puffer and trigger would make a meal out of them.

 

[reefer44]

in my oppinion no tank needs much of a clean up crew....all they do is take waste and make more waste by pooping it out....if you have an algae problem at all i would suggest going to the source of the problem and removing the phosphate
put if you can't manage to keep it down i would go with snails to eat it and convert it to something your filters can clean out (waste)
as far as hermit crabs and such i would say no you don't need it

 

[timo]

I fully agree that the some fish will eat snails such, the niger is likely to not be one of them. I can't speak for the puffer.
The inhabitants of LR can be considered a clean up crew.

 

[chris17]

?? Will puffers eat hermits and snails??? What about eels, will they eat snails and hermits??:notsure:

 

[toni]

I don't understand why you wouldn't add a cleanup crew to the tank it adds more life and movement and gives more to look at!!

 

[timo]

Originally posted by Toni
I don't understand why you wouldn't add a cleanup crew to the tank it adds more life and movement and gives more to look at!!
So true. Nothing like biodiversity. However, some fish just don't understand that the inverts we add aren't food for them. I have two triggers in one tank, and the Humu will harass then devour any small crab or snail.
If you're concerned about the chance one of your fish may eat other things in your tank, as I know you are, then try adding just one. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.