Requesting help. PLEASE (Clean-Up Crew)

[bdg7884]

I set up a 38 gallon about a month ago. I am needing advice on what kind of clean up crew I should have????? I got 4 crabs today, and also 4 snails. My question is what to get and how many? Conch? More snails/crabs? I know I need more crabs/snails but the lady at the LFS said just to test these guys out. Well if anyone can help me, it is greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks again

 

[duke13]

I've heard many people say you should have one 'cleaner' per gallon.
Here's what I would suggest:
10-15 Red Leg Hermits (avoid blue leg, they fight too much)
5 Nassarius Snails
5 Nerite Snails
3-5 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Brittle Star
3 Bumble Bee Snails
1 Sea Urchin

 

[oyam1]

nassarius yes
astra yes
mex turbo yes
pep shrimp are ok
hermits ok
think about the star
IMO urchin is a big NO...........

 

[duke13]

Brittle Star do an outstanding job at cleaning waste from your sand. However, some people have claimed that the Brittle may eat your inverts (which is something I have yet to see).
I have a fancy pink sea urchin and it has never harmed any inverts in the tank. My urchin is smaller in size than most urchins though. I guess it's up to you to get an urchin. However, I have categorized it wrong, since it really isn't a 'cleaner'.

 

[migston]

I think the problem with an urchin is that it eats coralline algae which a lot of reefers want. I know I do. Otherwise I think urchins have no other downsides.
Still that's a pretty big downside.

 

[oyam1]

yes
they eat my color and push things over.....

 

[thomas712]

I've had urchans mow my xenia down to little nubs before, after that I've never had another one. As to urchans eating coralline its not all bad if your tank produces coralline, by eating it it will spread the spores around and as long as your chemistry is right it won't matter that much, but in some tanks it might.
Thomas

 

[eiffergan]

My urchin liked to snack on my cleaners, in particular the snails and hermit crabs. Kinda defeats the purpose, if you ask me.