Will clean up crew live with no algae?

[fireykat04]

After a rocky start back into the hobby, the tank has finally cycled after 5 weeks and it's time for the clean up crew. I'm a little concerned that they won't have enough to eat. I am just starting to see the brown algae a bit on the glass and I don't want to starve anyone. SO any suggestions on what to get for a 65 gallon tank with 65 lbs of LR and 80 lbs of live sand? When I had my tank years ago, they didn't even mention clean up crews. :notsure: WOO HOO this weekend I can shop for the crew.. :jumping:

 

[fireykat04]

P.S. I did research and know some are sand sifters and others live on detritus, some are just glass cleaners. Guess my question should have been. Should I hold off on the Algae eaters?

 

[teen]

i would get some turbo snails and hermits, and a peppermint shrimp.

 

[trainfever]

Even though you wont be able to see it, there will be algae there. The snails will find it. The hermits will eat any leftover food that isnt eaten. If there are no fish in your tank yet, then you will have to put a little food in for the hermits.

 

[fishmamma]

When in doubt just start with a smaller crew. Try maybe 10-15 snails and a handful of hermits. You can always add more later, and then you do not have to worry. Hermits and cleaner shrimp will eat pellet and flake food so you no worries over them.

 

[fireykat04]

They're here!!! I went to the LFS today and got the crews... If I had any doubts I have no more. The brown diatom algae in my tank they are making quick work of AND I got a HUGE BONUS!!!! The LFS had a tank that an employee broke down and I bought some of the already cured live rock that had a few corals and things on it. When I got it home and started to unpack it my friend noticed some worm things on it. I was ready to freak because I have never heard anything good about worms in a reef tank. WEELLLLLL I went over to pick them of AND it wasn't worms!! IT was a huge serpent star that was hiding in a hole in one of the rocks and it was coming out!!! I was already to pluck the worms off until I discovered the worms were attached to a body.. LOL :happyfish
I ended up with:
1 small serpent star (legs are about 3 inches)
1 mithrax crab
20 Margarita snails
20 blue legged hermits (they are tiny)
5 burgundy legged hermits
AND the bonus BIG serpent star (legs are about 6-8 inches) :happy:

 

[wwfstyle]

Some tanks need more than others. In my 75 I have a very small clean up crew.
1 Sand sifter star
1Serpant star
7-9 scarlet hermits
7 turbo snails
5 bummble bee snails (love these guys)
about 5 Naus. (sp?) snails
1 cucumber
I did buy some peppermint shrimps but I never do see them if they still alive. So I would say start out slow and work your way up till you think you are there. Ya I still have to clean my front glass on my aquarium about every 4 days but thats part of the maintence.