29 gallon cleanup

[Moonstream]

so I have an idea of the cleaup but need some tweaking

4 dwarf hermits-detris and algae
1 starfish-looks and sandsifting
1 sea urchin-macro algae control
1 skunk cleaner-cleaner
1 pepermint shrimp-cleaner
2 turbo snails-algae

What do you think?

 

[Moonstream]

The star will be choco chip, the hermits scarlet, the urchin tuxedo, and 2 bumble bees and 2 nassaria snails will be added. A emrald crad may be added.

 

[Springmo]

Chocolate chip stars are not reef-safe FYI

 

[Moonstream]

oh.. That makes me sad lol. Well, no choco chip, will decide on another kind.

 

[b0bby1]

urchins are not reef safe...they eat corals.

 

[Springmo]

I don't think tuxedos eat corals but they do knock them over. They munch coralline though.

 

[Moonstream]

the urchin is a pincoushin... my bad!

 

[KellyPug]

Do you really need that many critters for the clean up crew? In my bc 29gal, I have one very small blue legged hermit, 2 conchs or some sort of sand sifting type snails, 1 astrea, and 1 fireshrimp. I think they do a pretty good job keeping the tank clean, no algae infestation yet (*knock on wood!).

 

[Moonstream]

well, the tank is algae full. My tank is AGA 29g so more surface area.

here is what I have planned for the tank

2 turbo snails(already have)
2 bumble bee snails(already have, one may be dead have yet to see it after 24h)
2 nassarius snails
1 emrald crab
2 dwarf hermits
1 skunk cleaner shrimp

 

[BradsOcean]

For a star, you could add a fromia. I would go with more snails too.

 

[Moonstream]

how bout' 3 dwarf hermits, and 3 nass snails? Will get a fromia star! Thats the star I reffered to as a 'red star' It was listed as that on liveaquaria.

 

[Moonstream]

I will be getting 6 hermits, not 3.

 

[nanoreef25]

DO NOT BUY AN EMERALD CRAB that is if you plan on having corals they will munch on them

 

[Moonstream]

think I will skip the emerald. I like my corals!

 

[BradsOcean]

also, i would get more snails and less hermits. (like 1 hermit) In my 29, i started with 6 hermits, in 1 month the hermits killed eachother off until there was one left. The rule i have heard was the max # of hermits was 1 per 10 gallons. But in my case, it is one per territory (29 gallons). I would get maybe 10 turbo snails, 5 astrea snails, 3 nassarius snails, and 1 hermit. Also, buy extra shells for the hermit or else it will kill the other snails for the shell.
Have fun with your tank!!!

 

[BradsOcean]

Also, snails clean way faster than hermits. Hermits do nothing but pick the LR clean and eat some leftovers maybe. Also, if you plan to have mushrooms, get a RED legged hermit. The blue legs will eat shrooms.

 

[BradsOcean]

one more thing, i DEFINITELY AGREE with nanoreef25, skip the emerald. they are the best looking crabs, until you catch them eating your corals. Well, I hope i have helped you with your decision for a clean up crew.

 

[Moonstream]

I already have the hermits. there are 2, and I guess I will skip getting anymore. The only thing w/ the turbos is that they are suposed to get big and buldoze corals, is that true?

 

[BradsOcean]

yes, they will knock over corals sometimes, you could get astreas.

 

[Moonstream]

okay thanks. I just got back from vacation, and the tank was over run w/ algae. I think that the clean up crew will be
1 blenny (tailspot or lawnmower)
6 astrea snails
2 turbo snails
2 bumble bee snails
5 dwarf hermits
1 sea star or 1 urchin

I am still looking for some kind of critter to eat my macro algae, which I dont have the time to trim often enough. I am looking for a star to eat it, but a tux urchin is possible too.