toothscratcher
New Member
What. do you people advise for a clean up crew?
suggestions please
- Thread starter toothscratcher
- Start date
btldreef
Moderator
Originally Posted by mony97
http:///forum/post/3213063
Well, us people, or maybe just me really like the Nassarius snails, and really really like Trochus snails these guys will clean your rocks and glass till they are spotless. So IMO thats what I would get maybe 5 or 6 a piece to start with.
I'm with you on the Nassarius and Trochus snails.
I'm going to assume this is a reef tank, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
5-7 Nassarius Snails
10-15 Trochus Snails
5 Cerith Snails (the "Mexican" variety w/ the black shells instead of the white/tan shells tend to be more hardy)
5 Astrea Snails (or just do all Trochus)
10 Hermits (try to get little ones so they don't kill your snails right away - I like really small Mexican Reef Hermits)
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
2 Peppermint Shrimp
1-3 Emerald Crabs
**You could do FireShrimps or a Coral Banded Shrimp instead of the Skunk, but I think the Skunks are the best. Also, if you decide on the CBS, you probably shouldn't do the Peppermints**
If none came in your LR, you might want to also consider a Serpent Star or Brittle Star after a few months.
When you start adding fish and other inverts you can start considering some that also add to your CUC, such as a blenny for algae (or a dwarf angel, etc) or a sand sifting goby.
http:///forum/post/3213063
Well, us people, or maybe just me really like the Nassarius snails, and really really like Trochus snails these guys will clean your rocks and glass till they are spotless. So IMO thats what I would get maybe 5 or 6 a piece to start with.
I'm with you on the Nassarius and Trochus snails.
I'm going to assume this is a reef tank, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
5-7 Nassarius Snails
10-15 Trochus Snails
5 Cerith Snails (the "Mexican" variety w/ the black shells instead of the white/tan shells tend to be more hardy)
5 Astrea Snails (or just do all Trochus)
10 Hermits (try to get little ones so they don't kill your snails right away - I like really small Mexican Reef Hermits)
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
2 Peppermint Shrimp
1-3 Emerald Crabs
**You could do FireShrimps or a Coral Banded Shrimp instead of the Skunk, but I think the Skunks are the best. Also, if you decide on the CBS, you probably shouldn't do the Peppermints**
If none came in your LR, you might want to also consider a Serpent Star or Brittle Star after a few months.
When you start adding fish and other inverts you can start considering some that also add to your CUC, such as a blenny for algae (or a dwarf angel, etc) or a sand sifting goby.
btldreef
Moderator
Originally Posted by mony97
http:///forum/post/3213295
Great list BTLD, the only thing I would say is carefull with the Astrea snails as they can not flip themselves over if need be.
I've actually seen some do it. However, as they get bigger, it gets harder for them because the shell grows into an odd shape making it impossible. I love Nassarius and Trochus snails, but I've noticed that Astreas do grow faster and do a much better/quicker job at ridding a tank of nuisance algae.
Originally Posted by dc2mlbsm
http:///forum/post/3213305
doesn't the size of the tank matter for a cuc?
I already know that it's a 65G from another thread.
http:///forum/post/3213295
Great list BTLD, the only thing I would say is carefull with the Astrea snails as they can not flip themselves over if need be.
I've actually seen some do it. However, as they get bigger, it gets harder for them because the shell grows into an odd shape making it impossible. I love Nassarius and Trochus snails, but I've noticed that Astreas do grow faster and do a much better/quicker job at ridding a tank of nuisance algae.
Originally Posted by dc2mlbsm
http:///forum/post/3213305
doesn't the size of the tank matter for a cuc?
I already know that it's a 65G from another thread.
spanko
Active Member
Originally Posted by BTLDreef
http:///forum/post/3213129
I'm with you on the Nassarius and Trochus snails.
I'm going to assume this is a reef tank, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
5-7 Nassarius Snails
10-15 Trochus Snails
5 Cerith Snails (the "Mexican" variety w/ the black shells instead of the white/tan shells tend to be more hardy)
5 Astrea Snails (or just do all Trochus)
10 Hermits (try to get little ones so they don't kill your snails right away - I like really small Mexican Reef Hermits)
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
2 Peppermint Shrimp
1-3 Emerald Crabs
**You could do FireShrimps or a Coral Banded Shrimp instead of the Skunk, but I think the Skunks are the best. Also, if you decide on the CBS, you probably shouldn't do the Peppermints**
If none came in your LR, you might want to also consider a Serpent Star or Brittle Star after a few months.
When you start adding fish and other inverts you can start considering some that also add to your CUC, such as a blenny for algae (or a dwarf angel, etc) or a sand sifting goby.
Sorry to jump in here, but is this a canned package list from one of the online suppliers or LFS's?
Asking because it seems to be a lot of critters to me, some of which I would not add if there is not a specific need or desire to keep them.
http:///forum/post/3213129
I'm with you on the Nassarius and Trochus snails.
I'm going to assume this is a reef tank, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
5-7 Nassarius Snails
10-15 Trochus Snails
5 Cerith Snails (the "Mexican" variety w/ the black shells instead of the white/tan shells tend to be more hardy)
5 Astrea Snails (or just do all Trochus)
10 Hermits (try to get little ones so they don't kill your snails right away - I like really small Mexican Reef Hermits)
2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
2 Peppermint Shrimp
1-3 Emerald Crabs
**You could do FireShrimps or a Coral Banded Shrimp instead of the Skunk, but I think the Skunks are the best. Also, if you decide on the CBS, you probably shouldn't do the Peppermints**
If none came in your LR, you might want to also consider a Serpent Star or Brittle Star after a few months.
When you start adding fish and other inverts you can start considering some that also add to your CUC, such as a blenny for algae (or a dwarf angel, etc) or a sand sifting goby.
Sorry to jump in here, but is this a canned package list from one of the online suppliers or LFS's?
Asking because it seems to be a lot of critters to me, some of which I would not add if there is not a specific need or desire to keep them.
btldreef
Moderator
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3213411
Sorry to jump in here, but is this a canned package list from one of the online suppliers or LFS's?
Asking because it seems to be a lot of critters to me, some of which I would not add if there is not a specific need or desire to keep them.
No it is not, although some sites do have similar lists. It's the critters I usually keep in my tanks and have had great success w/. I am not a fan of emerald crabs, but many people like them.
I would not recommend adding my entire list in one shot either, over time would suit the tank much better.
What would/wouldn't you recommend?
http:///forum/post/3213411
Sorry to jump in here, but is this a canned package list from one of the online suppliers or LFS's?
Asking because it seems to be a lot of critters to me, some of which I would not add if there is not a specific need or desire to keep them.
No it is not, although some sites do have similar lists. It's the critters I usually keep in my tanks and have had great success w/. I am not a fan of emerald crabs, but many people like them.
I would not recommend adding my entire list in one shot either, over time would suit the tank much better.
What would/wouldn't you recommend?
jackri
Active Member
Don't forget the #1 CUC member -- you!
Whatever you buy can't compensate for what you can do for your tank as well. You really can't go wrong with a snail/hermit crab combo IMO though. I would pick shrimp based on their "cleaning" ability -- pick what you like there as you have to look at them and I don't know they do any real cleaning themselves other than being scavengers of leftover food.
Whatever you buy can't compensate for what you can do for your tank as well. You really can't go wrong with a snail/hermit crab combo IMO though. I would pick shrimp based on their "cleaning" ability -- pick what you like there as you have to look at them and I don't know they do any real cleaning themselves other than being scavengers of leftover food.
spanko
Active Member
I have had bad luck with peppermint shrimp eating all of my feather duster worms. Have a nice Porites sp. rock that I bought because of all the Christmas tree worms on it. Peppermint ate every one of them. Then went after the Hawaiian feather duster worm.
I have also had problems with emerald crabs picking at SPS coral and having them close up their polyps.
Just my experiences.
I have also had problems with emerald crabs picking at SPS coral and having them close up their polyps.
Just my experiences.
btldreef
Moderator
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3214057
I have had bad luck with peppermint shrimp eating all of my feather duster worms. Have a nice Porites sp. rock that I bought because of all the Christmas tree worms on it. Peppermint ate every one of them. Then went after the Hawaiian feather duster worm.
I have also had problems with emerald crabs picking at SPS coral and having them close up their polyps.
Just my experiences.
ahh. Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of emeralds, but lots of people have no issues with them and the latest one I bought for my nano is doing great.
I've never had an issue with peppermints, BUT, my cleaner shrimp eat my feather dusters. I've just given up on trying to keep feather dusters, if the cleaner shrimp doesn't eat them, the Coral Beauty will.
http:///forum/post/3214057
I have had bad luck with peppermint shrimp eating all of my feather duster worms. Have a nice Porites sp. rock that I bought because of all the Christmas tree worms on it. Peppermint ate every one of them. Then went after the Hawaiian feather duster worm.
I have also had problems with emerald crabs picking at SPS coral and having them close up their polyps.
Just my experiences.
ahh. Yeah, I'm not a huge fan of emeralds, but lots of people have no issues with them and the latest one I bought for my nano is doing great.
I've never had an issue with peppermints, BUT, my cleaner shrimp eat my feather dusters. I've just given up on trying to keep feather dusters, if the cleaner shrimp doesn't eat them, the Coral Beauty will.
king_neptune
Active Member
My sea hare is a great addition to my Cuc.
I like my sea apple too. But caution on them both, do your research so you know the risks.
Sea hares ink when scared, they are left alone...but I accidentally bumped mine when cleaning my glass. Fortunately I got a pump in there pronto and sucked out the ink.
Sea apples make great filter feeders, but are highly toxic if they die, or are picked on by fish. Mine leave it alone. Apples are pretty sturdy too, so unless your tank has something drastic happen, hes most likely gonna be the last man standing anyways.
Bottom line is a Cuc doenst have to be only hermits and snails. There is a lot out there that does a bang up job at bottom feeding. I have a few pepermint shrimps, and a Skunk shrimp, they do great work.
Diamond goby would be a good addition as a sand sifter. Im getting one as my next fish. Having someone who can reliably work the snad is always a nice bonus.
I like my sea apple too. But caution on them both, do your research so you know the risks.
Sea hares ink when scared, they are left alone...but I accidentally bumped mine when cleaning my glass. Fortunately I got a pump in there pronto and sucked out the ink.
Sea apples make great filter feeders, but are highly toxic if they die, or are picked on by fish. Mine leave it alone. Apples are pretty sturdy too, so unless your tank has something drastic happen, hes most likely gonna be the last man standing anyways.
Bottom line is a Cuc doenst have to be only hermits and snails. There is a lot out there that does a bang up job at bottom feeding. I have a few pepermint shrimps, and a Skunk shrimp, they do great work.
Diamond goby would be a good addition as a sand sifter. Im getting one as my next fish. Having someone who can reliably work the snad is always a nice bonus.
king_neptune
Active Member
Originally Posted by toothscratcher
http:///forum/post/3213056
What. do you people advise for a clean up crew?
Your tank size is an important peice of information to consider. Sump? Filtration? How much LR? How many lbs sand/how deep is it?
http:///forum/post/3213056
What. do you people advise for a clean up crew?
Your tank size is an important peice of information to consider. Sump? Filtration? How much LR? How many lbs sand/how deep is it?