Clean up crew recommendations

[Rare Angels]

Good morning everyone,

I am setting up my first real reef tank, focused on SPS, LPS, and clams. I am wondering what is the best line-up for a clean up crew. Is it several type of snails, hermit crabs, etc or is it something else.

I don't know if this has been discussed before but the search never seems to work. Please point me in the right direction if this is a repeat question and thank you for the help.

Dave

 

[GreyDC]

How big of a tank are you looking to set up?

 

[davidryder]

marine depot live sells crew packages, check it out:

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/tank-cleaners.html

that might at least give you an idea of what to get

 

[Rare Angels]

The tank is a 40 gallon, 36x18x16.

 

[davidryder]

so check out the 50gallon package to give you an idea of what you can use. there is no definite solution, but the package they sell is pretty robust and complete. i would definitely get a sand sifting goby, those shrimps, and a couple varieties of snails. everything else is more or less secondary

 

[SDguy]

I just use a few astrea and trochus snails for micro algae. I have three hermits that I don't think really do anything. I would add ceriths if I had sand. My tangs eat any macro that pops up.

I'm not of the opinion that one needs massive amounts of snails and crabs to clean up...Clean up what exactly? My 10 snails REALLY get around. I'm afraid any more wouldn't get enough food.

 

[Rare Angels]

Thanks Peter and David.

For Macro algae you mentioned that you have tang for that, in my small tank what would be a good fish to handle the macro?

thanks again

Dave

 

[SDguy]

I would use manual extraction for macros. I manually remove most of my macros, some halimeda and sargassum that grows in one particular spot, as well as some red stuff the tangs won't eat. The powder blue is actually the only one that can eat macro (my other tang is a tomini....no mouth parts to bite algae off with). And he only occasionally hits any caulerpa that shows up, and some other various unidentified red leaves that pop up here and there.

FWIW, I enjoy the various non invasive types, like the halimeda and the sargassum. It adds texture and variety, while sucking up nutrients.

 

[kelley_mc]

For my cleanup crew, I have the following:

1 - Mexican Turbo - algae
6 - Trochus Snails - algae/cyano
9 - Cerith Snails - algae/waste
5 - Scarlett Hermits - detritus
1 - Pom Pom Crab - detritus
2 - Peppermint Shrimp - detritus/parasites
1 - Brittle Star - detritus

I like this mix because they keep my tank clean and are interesting to watch. The mexican turbo is as exciting as a snail can get... fast critter.

 

[psuedopimp]

have you tried garf? they have reasonable price i think $1 per snail or hermit and will give a free coral when you purchase. nice people.

 

[illal]

start off lite on the cleanup crew and add as you need them...if you got algea on the glass get a few snails ...if you need something to stir up the sand you may want a sand sifting goby.... if you have bubble algea you may want an emerald crab...you gotta just take slow

 

[kelley_mc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9308017#post9308017 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by illal
start off lite on the cleanup crew and add as you need them...if you got algea on the glass get a few snails ...if you need something to stir up the sand you may want a sand sifting goby.... if you have bubble algea you may want an emerald crab...you gotta just take slow

Yes, good tip! Please don't buy a prepackaged crew. They give you so many critters that half or more will most likely die from starvation once the tank settles down. I started small and added slowly as needed.

 

[Frick-n-Frags]

and skip the blue legged hermits no matter who says they clean algae.

IMO snails really are the most important thing

 

[davidryder]

i personally welcome macro algae! it helps filter out nitrates, and i keep an ample amount of it in my refugium. it also shelters lots of copepods and amphipods

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9306712#post9306712 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rare Angels
Thanks Peter and David.

For Macro algae you mentioned that you have tang for that, in my small tank what would be a good fish to handle the macro?

thanks again

Dave