When to get cleaner crews...

[susan]

I'll be starting my 55 gal tank up soon.
This will have 150lbs Southdown with 20lbs LS placed over that. That will be topped off with 50-80 lbs of LR. I'll be getting two 18in 50/50 lights.
When do I need to get a cleaner crew, especially for the bad algea when it starts to form?
What and how many critters should I have in that size tank?
Thanks!

 

[birdy]

You should get your clean up crew when your cycle is completely finished. 0 ammonia,0 nitrites, and 0 nitrates.

 

[25gator]

first of all do you have a plenum system?if not to much sand no deeper then 1" or big problems down the road. not to get off the subject but where did you get the southdown sand (home depot) would really like to know if you have the sku# it would be great. any info apreciated greatly!!!!!!!

 

[aj77]

25gator:
Are you advising against a 4-6" DSB, unless they have plenum system?
IF so, could you provide more information to back up your cautions?
Inquiring minds want to know...
AJ

 

[marine fanatic]

Susan,
Once you notice diatom growth in yor tank, it will probably be safe to add a few cleaner critters to start keeping it all under control. Don't go crazy at first but instead, add just a few at a time. I started with 4 scarlets right when my diatom started and added 3-4 new critters every 2 weeks. That worked for me and I also have a 4" bed again with no problems

 

[fshhub]

go with the dsb, plenums are good too, but more work to set up and if you have to change or do anything to it they are more work again,and after the cycle, get the clean up crew

 

[nm reef]

25gator.....I've got links to numerous articles that support DSB's....and have seen information on pleneums.....I too would like to see the support for your comments....and to tell the truth I've not seen evidence from experiencied keepers to support your comments.....but if you have information I've missed I'd like to see it....
Susan...personally I'd support the dsb.....and after the cycle completes and begins to stabalise then I'd look into a clean-up crew.......the packages here are some of the best available. Good luck.....*_^

 

[susan]

Thanks, but I'd still like to know WHY???
Why are DSB so much better than 1in ones if the critters, etc only live in the first 1/2 inch.
HELP!!
Gator- I read of someone finding SouthDown at HD in Mass a week ago I think.
Do a search on South Down in the archives, going back two weeks. You'll see lots of listings... "I've found Southdown!" It's spring, so many places are starting to carry it.
I had my local Agway (an animal feed store) get it for me. The are in Dover, NH.
You can also call SouthDown directly at 1-610-923-8805 Mon-Fri 8-5pm and ask what HDS in Mass have gotten "SD Tropical play sand" lately. NOTE: SD sand sku is different from HD's. SD's is 578-819. I don't know HD's
TIP- if you call HD- ask for the gardening section. They alone carry this- not the others sections- they carry a dif play sand.
When I picked mine up though, I was suprised to see the bag say "Tropical Play Sand" but I didn't see "SD" on it. When I asked the sales person if this was SD's, they turned the bag over and showed me in small print the SD name. So if they say they have it, you get there and don't see it, ask someone to point it out to you.
If you absolutely can't find it, let me know where you are. I'll pick some up for you and we can meet somewhere for you to pick it up. This usually comes in 50lb bags at about $2.50 ea.
Good luck!

 

[susan]

Oh,
What is Diatom? (I'm guessing an algea or waste)
How big a clean up crew should I end up with for my 55gal and are all reef/coral friendly?
Thanks!

 

[25gator]

thank you very much susan! do you go near nashua? if so downtown nashua has a lfs that swears by dsb (inland reaf) also hudson rock and crab!thanks again!

 

[fshhub]

susan, as for why, i answered tha ti n your other post, and not all cleaners are reef safe, but most are and as for how many, htat depends on what it is you want, i have a clawless tank, which is mostly snails and a cleaner shrimp or 2,but your species will help to determine ho wmany
for turbos, i would say about 10 or 12(or about 5 or 6 trochus snails), and about a doxen nassarius snails to start, topped off with a couple of hermits if you want them too, and if you need more, then get a few extra
HTH

 

[susan]

Thanks for the input. I may not have read that comment yet. Sorry. I'm very forgettfull too. That's why I cut and past a lot of these discussions to Word.
Gator- I know Nashua OK, but haven't been to any LFS there. Maybe I'll check them out when I visit my friend next time I'm up there. Thanks!
PS. Clawless tank- great idea! that way, you never have to worry about anything
Thanks!

 

[susan]

Thanks for the input. I may not have read that comment yet. Sorry. I'm very forgettfull too. That's why I cut and past a lot of these discussions to Word.
Gator- I know Nashua OK, but haven't been to any LFS there. Maybe I'll check them out when I visit my friend next time I'm up there. Thanks!
PS. Clawless tank- great idea! that way, you never have to worry about anything
Thanks!