Cleanup crew

[jerseyguy]

I just added my fish yesterday, upgraded from a 29 to a 72...tank is good to go 75lbs of rock and prob going to add about 10lb more, although mostly decorative. I will be adding some LPS in the next few months.
Question is though, when should I add the cleanup crew? And any opinion on what I should add? I like the reef packages on here, but i wish I could mix and match, id like cleaner shrimp and etc, but not at the loss of hermit crabs and etc. Any help would be appreciated!

 

[mbrands]

Originally Posted by JerseyGuy
Question is though, when should I add the cleanup crew?
This is tough to answer as it is personal preference. I've got various hermits, snails, and peppermint shrimp in my 55.

 

[oceanist]

How many of each should be bought , or basically what does a clean up crew consist of , and how many of each species should be bought for 55 gallons 40 lbs LR

 

[mbrands]

Originally Posted by Oceanist
How many of each should be bought
I add some about every other month. The hermit crabs will go after the snails for their shells. I've probably got 10-15 hermit crabs of various species and sizes, 30 snails of various species and size, and 6 peppermint shrimp.
I've heard of a general rule of 1 cleaner per gallon, but I think they'd starve if added all at once. I only add more snails when I find an abundance of extra shells (thanks to the hermits) or if notice I'm cleaning a little more algae off the glass.
Edit: I've also got about 90 pounds of LR versus 40.

 

[oceanist]

i need a clean up crew , im going to have to get some peppermint shrimp for the aiptasia i found