Clean up crew recommendations

[ReefMagician]

Hey guys,

For a 125g I wanted to see about getting a clean up crew. I wanted to hear feedback as to what I should get and from where.

I was thinking either this package:

1. http://ccritters.com/clean-up-crews/clean-up-crew-30-gal-158-159-160-161-detail

OR

2. http://www.reefcleaners.org/index.p...mart_product_id=261&virtuemart_category_id=20


I am a fan of emerald crabs (I like how they look).

 

[vcam]

A cleanup crew package is a scam....

They sell you way too much and over 50% of them die due to starvation.

I'd start with a handful and upgrade as the tank needs it... your goal should be as little as possible since they don't export nutrients, they hide it.

 

[bashment]

there's a good sale going on at reefcleaners right now i believe. I've had good experiences with them.

 

[scooter31707]

IMO, stay away from blue-legged hermit crabs, as they are known to kill snails for their shells. I have had good luck with a few red hermits. I agree, in my 120 I started out with like 12 snails and 5 hermits. I also put a small piece of Nori at the bottom of the tank twice a week.

 

[theatrus]

Agree on avoiding the packages.

Also, avoid certain snail types like Margarita snails.

I've had the best luck with Trochus snails (the banded ones usually), Cerith (very nocturnal) and Astrea (sometimes referred to as a Turbo snails, not to be confused with the huge Mexican Turbo snails which I'm mixed on). If you have a large algae load or difficult to control algaes, a single urchin (Pincushion) is my suggestion - they will mow down anything they can reach (which unfortunately does not extend to cracks and holes).

Other useful creatures as the tank matures are nassarius snails and fighting conchs.

I keep both scarlet and small blue leg hermits, a few of each. I have a 5 year old huge scarlet in a mexican turbo shell, fun animal.

 

[cloak]

For a tank that size you might want to go with 7-10 Banded Trochus snails and maybe 3-5 Scarlet Hermit crabs. Use something like a Mag-Float to clean the glass and either stir up or vacuum your sand bed on a regular basis. Hopefully if things go right you won't have to add any more janitors to the tank later on. GL.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+526+564&pcatid=564

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+501+620&pcatid=620

 

[Jeff4777]

Also, avoid certain snail types like Margarita snails.

Why? Because they like cooler waters? This is good depending on the type of system you have. Just saying avoid them doesn't make sense though.

 

[uncleL]

This is what I have in 90G 4 White light brown sand sifting Stars "AstropectenPolyacauthus", coral banded shrimp, skunk cleaner shrimp ,4 Turbo snails, 10 nassarius snails you can keep your snails happy with a little seaweed attached to a rock

 

[ReefMagician]

Here is what I am thinking of:

5 - Scarlet Hermit crabs
8 - Banded Trochus snails
3 - Emerald Crabs
5 - Diamond Goby


Any suggestions? Is this too small of a clean up crew?

 

[homer1475]

Just ordered from reef cleaners. For my 80 I did 5 dwarf ceriths, 5 florida ceriths, 5 Nassarius, 5 nerites, and 3 scarlet hermits. I have plenty of turbo snails I'll move over from my other tank.

Most times these "packages" are way more CUC then you need.

 

[homer1475]

Here is what I am thinking of:

5 - Scarlet Hermit crabs
8 - Banded Trochus snails
3 - Emerald Crabs
5 - Diamond Goby


Any suggestions? Is this too small of a clean up crew?

5 watchman gobies? 1 is plenty.

It should be housed in a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live sand as the substrate, and an attached populated refugium. The Diamond Watchman Goby uses shallow burrows in the substrate as refuge, keeping the substrate well oxygenated. It rarely becomes aggressive towards other fish, but is territorial, and will fight with its own kind unless they are a mated pair.

 

[theatrus]

Why? Because they like cooler waters? This is good depending on the type of system you have. Just saying avoid them doesn't make sense though.

My long term survival rate is near zero, even with 76-77 degree water.

 

[ReefMagician]

5 watchman gobies? 1 is plenty.

Just ordered from reef cleaners. For my 80 I did 5 dwarf ceriths, 5 florida ceriths, 5 Nassarius, 5 nerites, and 3 scarlet hermits. I have plenty of turbo snails I'll move over from my other tank.

Most times these "packages" are way more CUC then you need.

Good to know.

So would you recommend reefcleaners or a local fish place for CUC?

 

[uncleL]

I would add a lawnmower blenny to that list

 

[homer1475]

Good to know.

So would you recommend reefcleaners or a local fish place for CUC?

I would support your LFS if you can. I would happily throw my money to the LFS rather then online.

I only ordered from reef cleaners as the closest LFS to me is a 2 1/2 hour drive, and when I went to check them out on Saturday, no one had any CUC(actually drove an additional hour to check out 2 other stores).

 

[ricks49reef]

Cleanup crew

Cleanup crew

Here is what I am thinking of:

5 - Scarlet Hermit crabs
8 - Banded Trochus snails
3 - Emerald Crabs
5 - Diamond Goby


Any suggestions? Is this too small of a clean up crew?

Loose the Diamond Goby,it will starve to death except in a well established tank that size.Also start with just one emerald crab until is more established and needed.

 

[Jeff4777]

My long term survival rate is near zero, even with 76-77 degree water.

Got it. Guess I'm on the lucky end, have 5 I think for 8+ months. That tank is a stable 72 though so I'm guessing that's why. Everyone is still alive and active.

Wouldn't consider 8 months long term though ofc.

 

[theatrus]

Got it. Guess I'm on the lucky end, have 5 I think for 8+ months. That tank is a stable 72 though so I'm guessing that's why. Everyone is still alive and active.

Wouldn't consider 8 months long term though ofc.

72 is probably the sweet spot for them, however 72 is more unusual with most tank setups.