Ready for snails and crabs

[cheryl]

I have a 37 gallon tank. Up and running for 4 weeks. LR (25lbs) in for 2 weeks. Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, etc. all at good levels. I was thinking of adding some snails and crabs at the end of the week (after re-testing water)to aid in my cycling.
First...am I jumping the gun? Should I wait longer? If I don't need to wait longer...are there specific crabs and/or snails to get?
Thanks a bunch for any info!!

 

[fshhub]

what does acceptable levels mean, if you have any ammonia ro nitrAte at all, this is not an acceptable level, wait until they hit and stay at ZERO, this would be jumping the gun
if they are at aero and have been, then the cycle is complete and it would be fine to get your clean up crew, and the sselection is up to you, i would only reccommend that you stay away from hermits other than the scarlet legs, they are the most reef safe of the hermits, i would just make sure to get plenty of sanils for algae control

 

[captained]

Trochus and/or Mexican Turbo snails, Scarlet hermits, Emerald crabs, peppermint shrimp- all pretty hardy cleaners. Some snails, like astrea, have a problem righting themselves if they tip over, and blue leg crabs will munch on them- I know, I've watched. Along the same lines, get some extra empty shells for your hermits to move into as they grow of they will fight each other to get a bigger shell.
Pacific cleaner shrimp are very cool, but I would stay away from starfish (hard to keep) and cucumbers (they release a toxin if they die).

 

[fshhub]

turbos can't upright themsleves either, and can drown, my personal favorite are trochus and nassarius(more of a detrivore,and burrow through the top layers of sand too)

 

[cheryl]

Thanks so much for the information!
Fshhub...the most recent tank readings were:
pH 8.2, Nitrite 10, Nitrate 0, ammonia 0.022
I'll test it again Friday before I put any of the "guys" you recommended!

 

[ocellaris_keeper]

I put snails and hermits in my tank after 1 week of cycling - I used uncured LR/LS and three domino damsels. Make sure you acclimate the little guys for at least an hour and they should do just fine

 

[cheryl]

Thanks everyone...you don't know how helpful this forum is for my kids and me!!!!!!
Thanks for all those who take the time to respond to us newbies asking simple/stupid questions!!
Did I mention that "Santa" brought this fish tank to us at Christmas with the idea of a saltwater tank! Silly Santa....I guess he didn't know how much work this would be or how much fun!