Non reef tank, need clean up crew?

[redrum_916]

I have a non reef 55 gallon tank, with 20 pounds of LR. Do I need a clean up crew? I have red/green algaee on my rocks right now!!! If I need one what you would suggust?

 

[bill f]

Yes, you will need a crew. Scarlet hermit crabs are good and some assorted snails. Not sure how many though. I forget how many I bought when I set up my tank, I think I bought like 30 scarlets and about 60 snails (Narcisus? spelling they're real small and bury themselves in the sand bed). You could probably cut those in half with a 55 gallon to start (12 hermits and 25 snails) and add more if you need too. I've added more to replace losses.
To get a better idea, look at some of the reef packages on this site. They break it down for you with suggestions.
Emerald crabs are nice but I would get just one. I have three in my 90.

 

[mbrands]

What kind of fish are you planning to keep? Larger predators will enjoy the nice meal that a cleaner crew make.

 

[snipe]

It really dose depend on what you plan to have and what you already have.
In my tank "gonne be a reef" I have around 70 snails a mix of astreas "only 3 left out of the 10 they fall over and die easy and you cant always get to them to turn them back over" 10 bumble bee snails around 60 nassarius and 2 mexican turbos.
I have around 15 crabs 10 hermits a sally lightfoot 2 porcelain an emerald and a arrow crab
A few shrimp 3 peppermint
And some feather dusters and a bunch of stuff that came from nowhere.