Do you have to have a cleaning crew?

[madman133]

Hey there do you really need one? What if you get a gobbie or jawfish that stirs up the sand and then just clean the glass with a magfloat? Is that ok or do i need snails crabs and starfish? Also if i can just get one fish which one is the best fro a 55 gallon fowlr?Thanks Madman133

 

[wax32]

Yes you need a crew, your magnet isn't going to clean your rocks. Jawfish almost never survive for long in a tank, because once they eat the few critters in the sand they usually starve. You need at least a few snails and some hermits, if you like hermits (I do). Starfish... no, most require special care. If I could only have one fish in a 55 gallon Fowlr I'd get a blue headed wrasse. (But that's just me.)

 

[madman133]

Oops sorry i didnt mean like which is the coolest fish i meant which fish does the best job of cleaning but thats ok. Do i need one of the $90 cleaning Crews?

What is the minimum tht i would need? Then ill add a few more to that to make sure i have enough.

Thanks for the help wax!

Madman133

 

[wax32]

You don't need nearly that many. I'll link you the little one I like... hang on.

 

[wax32]

Just right
Just take one of those two conches to the nearest LFS for credit.

 

[madman133]

Great! Is that all i need minus the 1 conch for a 55? Thanks Again Madman133

 

[wax32]

As far as cleaning crew type fishes, I'd go with a Bicolor blenny. Eats algae, pretty peaceful, noone bugs them and stays small.

 

[wax32]

Some ppl might say you need more, but why starve a bunch of inverts? I have less than that in my 70 actually.

 

[1journeyman]

I'd go with a lawnmower Blenny over a Bicolor. My Bicolor won't eat algae.

 

[wax32]

Mine did. And I have heard WAY too many stories of LMB's going beserk and chasing small fish all over the tank, especially if that is the first fish you put in the tank.

 

[1journeyman]

Wow, really?
Never knew that... my lmb is huge but is a total baby. It was one of the first fish I introduced, since I wanted to see how much algae he woule eat before I started adding a lot of clean uppers..

 

[hawthorn]

A bicolor goatfish will do a good job of sifting your sand and they ussually keep it quite tidy aswell and they dont look to bad either.jmo

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by hawthorn
A bicolor goatfish will do a good job of sifting your sand and they ussually keep it quite tidy aswell and they dont look to bad either.jmo
True, but any "sand sifter" will eventually eat all the beneficial critters in your sand bed.

 

[madman133]

Well first of all im not going to put ls in this tank(its still being set up) in other words i dont have money for it. So could i feed thid fish like normal fish or do i have to put in enough food so that it goes to the bootom where they can eventually get it? Also are there any fish that can replace sails?( dont want 1,000 in my tank :hilarious ) This would probbly be either the first fish i add to clean up the brown algae or the last fish. Thanks Mad

 

[murph]

IMO you don't have to add a large clean up crew right off the bat nor is it a good idea. You will need one though. Start with a few turbos for your glass, a cleaner shrimp or two and a half dozen scarlet hermits and let it evolve from there as you feel the tank needs it.
This shouldn't burn to big a hole in your pocket and IMO is an absolute necessity
You wont have to worry about snails overtaking your tank like in freshwater. Its almost a certainty that the only snails you ever see are the ones you add or happen to hitch hike in on some rock.

 

[madman133]

Originally Posted by Murph
You wont have to worry about snails overtaking your tank like in freshwater. Its almost a certainty that the only snails you ever see are the ones you add or happen to hitch hike in on some rock.
lol

thanks this is my first saltwater tank so i didnt know if snails reproduced by the thousands like in my freshwaters or not

Thanks Mad

Also which kind of turbos?

 

[murph]

Turbos are turbos. Take a look over on the left of your screen and click inverts. You will see them listed with the snails. May consider a dozen or so nassarius snails for your sand bed also. They will stay concealed in the top layer of your sand and only pop out when they detect food in your tank and in the mean time help keep your sand bed stirred.
If its a stealth cleaner your after consider a few black brittle star too. Unlike other star fish they are easy to keep alive with no special requirements. They are nocturnal so you most likely will never see them during the day and are outstanding at reaching bits of uneaten food in the tightest of crevices in your rock. Stay clear of the green brittle star as its been reported they can develop a taste for fish meat.
I think you will discover that in a SW tank the cleaners are far different than in fresh and are actually quite fascinating to watch and add quite a bit of entertainment value.

 

[madman133]

Hey there i was just reading on someplace that these can be nocturnal hunters sometime that take out small fish. Do you think they would be ok with clowns?(maroon,tomatoes,percs,false percs I havent decided or bought anything yet) Thanks Mad

( :cheer:

Especialy thanks to you murph, journeyman and to you wax you guys always come through!

:cheer: )

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by Madman133
Hey there i was just reading on someplace that these can be nocturnal hunters sometime that take out small fish. Do you think they would be ok with clowns?(maroon,tomatoes,percs,false percs I havent decided or bought anything yet) Thanks Mad

( :cheer:

Especialy thanks to you murph, journeyman and to you wax you guys always come through!

:cheer: )
This is a great community. Glad you've joined us!

 

[murph]

Not to likely with the brown/black brittle stars. Greens on the other hand have a reputation for going after fish. If its a concern it wont take long to find where the Brittles daytime hang out is. They usually leave one tentacle hanging out of the rock work. Spot feed him there and that will pretty much eliminate any chances of him wanting to take out a fish.
So far I have pretty much ignored my brittle star and he has ignored my fish.
Your going to find that saltwater species display a munch wider personality range than fresh water. Species that by all accounts are considered community may see an individual that is more aggressive and vice versa. The best thought out stocking plan for a SW community rarely goes unchanged. My tank at five months has seen some removals and unplanned additions before arriving at a peaceful balanced community.
At any rate its obvious you are doing your reaseach and that alone will save a lot of problems and money. Good luck.