i have a 40-gallon aquarium that is about 5 weeks old. i have a protein skimmer, and just installed a good quality filter with phosphate remover and nitrate remover. the tank has green hair algae that is getting excessive. i know i need to get a good clean-up crew now for the tank. can you recommend the types of crabs, snails, etc i should get, and best places for good deals?
clean-up crew for new tank
- Thread starter parsons
- Start date
I did some research for my new nano, but I am new to saltwater so someone more experienced could offer a better suggestion. Based on my reading the following would be a good goal to head for. Of course I would wait to add the clams until the tank is established.
I am looking to supplement some of the hermit crabs with a serpent starfish - part of the brittle starfish family - because I always wanted one.
Scarlet Hermit Crab: 15
Blueleg Hermit Crab: 10
Emerald Crab: 5
Coral Banded Shrimp: 1
Nasssarius Snail: 10
Turbo/Astrea Snail: 20
Cleaner Clam: 2
You could do just Astrea or Nassarius snails but I like the variety the two give. Just remember that Astrea snails can’t right themselves. I am going to stay away from the Mexican variety because they just aren’t pretty enough for me.
As far as where to get them, I am looking too right now. So if you find out, please let me know.
I am looking to supplement some of the hermit crabs with a serpent starfish - part of the brittle starfish family - because I always wanted one.
Scarlet Hermit Crab: 15
Blueleg Hermit Crab: 10
Emerald Crab: 5
Coral Banded Shrimp: 1
Nasssarius Snail: 10
Turbo/Astrea Snail: 20
Cleaner Clam: 2
You could do just Astrea or Nassarius snails but I like the variety the two give. Just remember that Astrea snails can’t right themselves. I am going to stay away from the Mexican variety because they just aren’t pretty enough for me.
As far as where to get them, I am looking too right now. So if you find out, please let me know.
Python73
New member
Um... that's SIXTY-THREE creatures. In your 20g tank. You won't have room for water. I wouldn't put that many of those critters in a 100g tank. Now, let's talk about crabs.
You won't hear this from many people, but here it is. Hermit crabs are bull****. At BEST they don't harm anything in your tank. Anything else you hear that they can do for you is nonsense. Oh! My bad, they DO eat snails. So if you want snails eaten, crab away.
The best is these packages with 50 hermit crabs and 50 mixed snails. Hmm. Where do you think the crabs are going to get new shells from? That's right.
My revised list would look like this:
Scarlet Hermit Crab: 0
Blueleg Hermit Crab: 0
Emerald Crab: 0 - $10 for these... unless you really like crabs they are worthless
Coral Banded Shrimp: 0 or 1 - not a cleaner at all, count as a fish for bioload
Nasssarius Snail: 0
Cleaner Clam: 0 - Not sure what this even is... but most likely it is a temperate/coldwater food clam. This will at best not die in your tank.
So that leaves: Turbo/Astrea Snail:
I personally don't care for astreas. Visit 10 tanks and count the number of empty astrea snails. You will see a ton. They just seem to be waiting to die. But I won't say that they are worthless, they do eat all sorts of bad algae. Turbo snails are the answer. Based on the amount of algae you have growing, and NOT the tank size (please read that again, it is important) I tend to stock mexican and zebra turbos. I pick them small when I can, say the size of a quarter. They eat their weight in algae daily. They don't fall on their backs and die. They don't crawl out of the water and sit there like asshats.
To sum up... cleanup crew V2 = mexican and zebra turbo snails.
S !
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Python73,
Well that is very insightful. I never quite thought of it that way. True that I did list 63 critters, I would not put more than what I listed in his 40-gallon tank not including a refugium if he intends to have one, which is where I would throw one or two snails. However, I also, under no circumstance, would place more than 35 critters (total including fish) in my 20-gallon nano + refugium. I listed that many with the thought that there is some die-off and the crabs do like to fight with each other for dominance. I am also aware that crabs need replacement shells, but you can easily provide an assortment of replacement shells.
I do have a question about the need for variety. Why would fish stores sell cleaner packages that they have rated for these tank sizes with some of those mentioned critters? Aside from the fact that their trying to make money, what do you think is the real reason for having that variety?
Now to answer the second part of Parsons question, you suggested Mexican and Zebra turbo snails. How many would you suggest for his 40-gallon tank and where should he get them? I am also looking for this information. I do intend to use your expertise and working knowledge as valuable resource for my little tank.
I anticipate your response.
-Hans
Well that is very insightful. I never quite thought of it that way. True that I did list 63 critters, I would not put more than what I listed in his 40-gallon tank not including a refugium if he intends to have one, which is where I would throw one or two snails. However, I also, under no circumstance, would place more than 35 critters (total including fish) in my 20-gallon nano + refugium. I listed that many with the thought that there is some die-off and the crabs do like to fight with each other for dominance. I am also aware that crabs need replacement shells, but you can easily provide an assortment of replacement shells.
I do have a question about the need for variety. Why would fish stores sell cleaner packages that they have rated for these tank sizes with some of those mentioned critters? Aside from the fact that their trying to make money, what do you think is the real reason for having that variety?
Now to answer the second part of Parsons question, you suggested Mexican and Zebra turbo snails. How many would you suggest for his 40-gallon tank and where should he get them? I am also looking for this information. I do intend to use your expertise and working knowledge as valuable resource for my little tank.
I anticipate your response.
-Hans
Python73
New member
Forget the need for variety, especially on smaller tanks. Instead, simply address the specific need of the creatures you put in your tank. What do you expect from them? What do you need them to do? And very important, do they do enough work for their bioload?
For instance, many stores sell the small white starfish for the purpose of "sand stirring." You might buy one for a deep sand bed, hoping to keep the sand clean. Only problem is, these starfish EAT all the beneficial life in the top 2-3 inches of your sandbed. And they will wipe out a big sandbed in short order. They DO keep the sandbed clean though. Now, do stores know this? My gut says 50/50. The "science" of this hobby often boils down to "what does that eat?" And it doesn't take a genious to see that those stars aren't exactly coming out at dinnertime. Compare to a serpent star. They go nuts when you feed. Why? They need to eat.
Stores aren't in the business of talking people out of what they want. What we tend to want is "as much different life as possible" and the stores must cater to that to some degree. Do you prefer Seahorse, with its 9000 critters at any one time, or a store with less and perhaps more conservative selection of animals? I know I love to go to Seahorse. I also hate to see the typically dozens of animals not at all suited for hobby tanks there. You have to find your balance.
Why do stores sell hermit crabs? People demand them. I've heard shoppers say "this store doesn't even carry <animal X>" with a snort. meanwhile, I'd never buy animal X, and I know that all the reefers I consider better than me (many) don't have that critter either. But that store just lost a sale, maybe a customer.
Okay, this is rambing. Hope I managed an answer or two in there.
S !
For instance, many stores sell the small white starfish for the purpose of "sand stirring." You might buy one for a deep sand bed, hoping to keep the sand clean. Only problem is, these starfish EAT all the beneficial life in the top 2-3 inches of your sandbed. And they will wipe out a big sandbed in short order. They DO keep the sandbed clean though. Now, do stores know this? My gut says 50/50. The "science" of this hobby often boils down to "what does that eat?" And it doesn't take a genious to see that those stars aren't exactly coming out at dinnertime. Compare to a serpent star. They go nuts when you feed. Why? They need to eat.
Stores aren't in the business of talking people out of what they want. What we tend to want is "as much different life as possible" and the stores must cater to that to some degree. Do you prefer Seahorse, with its 9000 critters at any one time, or a store with less and perhaps more conservative selection of animals? I know I love to go to Seahorse. I also hate to see the typically dozens of animals not at all suited for hobby tanks there. You have to find your balance.
Why do stores sell hermit crabs? People demand them. I've heard shoppers say "this store doesn't even carry <animal X>" with a snort. meanwhile, I'd never buy animal X, and I know that all the reefers I consider better than me (many) don't have that critter either. But that store just lost a sale, maybe a customer.
Okay, this is rambing. Hope I managed an answer or two in there.
S !
Python73
New member
Ah, missed this one in my /rant.
Hard to say. How much algea growth does he have? Or yourself? A new tank in the first week or two has little. Then the next couple weeks it goes nuts, depending on light intensity, flow, food, etc. I never put snails in a new tank util the algae bloom starts Then I add 2 or 3 at a time until I reach a balance. If you put in 20 snails at once, they will annihilate the algae for sure. Then they will starve. You don't want to be feeding your snails, that is silly. So you need balance.
For instance, I have 5 or 6 in my 50g farm tank right now. I see that they are not quite keeping up, so I'm going to add a couple tonight. If in a week the tank is sparkling, I added too many, and I'll trade a few to club people.
Where to buy? Every store carries turbos. Zebras not as much, but turbos are a staple. if they are out, they will get more in in a week unless they are doing something wrong.
S !
BeanAnimal
Premium Member
Hermit crabs are only good for eating dead stuff or making snails into dead stuff, then eating them.
The astreas are great... but they will die if the fall into the sand, they have no self righting mechanism as they are from rocky underwater terrain, not sandy.
Turbos get way too big, but are good eaters. They are also somewhat temperte snails so they do not do well in 82 degree tanks.
Cerith snails are great cleaners as well.
See Hares can do a good job on the hair algea but have short lives and can be toxic (I hear) when the die.
10 snails is plenty to get started. As your tank load grows you can increase the number of snails. I would only put 1 turbo, max 2 in.
As Python mentioned... those "cleanup crew" packs are nonsense and just a ploy to sell a LOT of inverts.
Do not worry much about the hair algea, it will come and then go with a new setup. So will the cyano and other forms of nuisance algea and bacterial blooms. It is all part of the new biological system you are starting to host. 8-12 months in, things will look better and the coraline and cool critters will start to take over the nuisance stuff. Just concentrate on good husbandry skills and take the time to learn proper testing teqniques and water change schedules etc.
Bean
Bean
Bean
The astreas are great... but they will die if the fall into the sand, they have no self righting mechanism as they are from rocky underwater terrain, not sandy.
Turbos get way too big, but are good eaters. They are also somewhat temperte snails so they do not do well in 82 degree tanks.
Cerith snails are great cleaners as well.
See Hares can do a good job on the hair algea but have short lives and can be toxic (I hear) when the die.
10 snails is plenty to get started. As your tank load grows you can increase the number of snails. I would only put 1 turbo, max 2 in.
As Python mentioned... those "cleanup crew" packs are nonsense and just a ploy to sell a LOT of inverts.
Do not worry much about the hair algea, it will come and then go with a new setup. So will the cyano and other forms of nuisance algea and bacterial blooms. It is all part of the new biological system you are starting to host. 8-12 months in, things will look better and the coraline and cool critters will start to take over the nuisance stuff. Just concentrate on good husbandry skills and take the time to learn proper testing teqniques and water change schedules etc.
Bean
Bean
Bean
I'm a newbie, but here's a few snails people haven't mentioned you can get locally:
Trochus: Probably the best standard snail you can get. Doesn't get to big a big, coldwater blunderbus like Turbos, and knows how to right itself unlike Astraea. They're a bit slow in my tank, but very thorough. You can pick them up at Seahorse or the Petland in Monroeville.
Nerites. These little guys seldom leave the glass. They're supposed to eat some macroalgae too. Bad side is they're really tidal organisms, and migtht try to escape an uncovered tank. I haven't had an issue with this though.
Money Cowrie: Cool as hell looking, and supposedly good for Macro. I like mine, though he doesn't seem to eat too much. The Pet Supplies Plus in Bridgeville carries them for $5.
As to things already mentioned, Ceriths are nice, but will be liable to get killed if you have hermits. Nassarius are cool as hell, but useless to add as part of an initial "clean up crew" as they eat left over fish food and carrion. You'll need to feed them for quite awhile before enough stuff builds up in the tank for them to take care of themselves. I ended up with four hermits by accident (wanted to try two), and while the tank is cleaner, my population of featherdusters and spaghetti worms has decreased dramatically. I'd skip em
Trochus: Probably the best standard snail you can get. Doesn't get to big a big, coldwater blunderbus like Turbos, and knows how to right itself unlike Astraea. They're a bit slow in my tank, but very thorough. You can pick them up at Seahorse or the Petland in Monroeville.
Nerites. These little guys seldom leave the glass. They're supposed to eat some macroalgae too. Bad side is they're really tidal organisms, and migtht try to escape an uncovered tank. I haven't had an issue with this though.
Money Cowrie: Cool as hell looking, and supposedly good for Macro. I like mine, though he doesn't seem to eat too much. The Pet Supplies Plus in Bridgeville carries them for $5.
As to things already mentioned, Ceriths are nice, but will be liable to get killed if you have hermits. Nassarius are cool as hell, but useless to add as part of an initial "clean up crew" as they eat left over fish food and carrion. You'll need to feed them for quite awhile before enough stuff builds up in the tank for them to take care of themselves. I ended up with four hermits by accident (wanted to try two), and while the tank is cleaner, my population of featherdusters and spaghetti worms has decreased dramatically. I'd skip em
