clean up crew suggestions

[ilovetrains]

We have a new to us 155 gallon bow front reef set-up. We are just getting set-up with 4 damsels, one coral beauty and one carpet anemone and 2 clowns. We also added three starfish (reef safe) and 10 margarita snails.

What else should we add for clean up details?

We plan to add over the next year or so a couple more anemones, one more pair of clowns, hopefully 2 tangs and maybe some other corals.

 

[angelsj247]

lots and lots more snails.. cerths, turbos, astreas... get some shrimp and hermit crabs if you want... you can also get some starfish.

 

[CarmieJo]

You might want to avoid most of what are called turbo snails. They are usually cool water snails and will only live weeks - months in your tank at normal reef temps. Kept under appropriate conditions snails can live DECADES. Research before you buy. For instance a green brittle star is very opportunistic and may even catch and eat fish.

 

[angelsj247]

hmm.. ive got a handful turbos.. two has lasted about a year now

 

[bertoni]

I'd probably spring for some Trochus, Stomatella, and perhaps cerith snails. Maybe 12 or so of each. Hermit crabs are predatory, so I avoid them. Shrimp really don't do cleanup, although they'll eat leftover food.

What kind of substrate is in the tank?

 

[ilovetrains]

live sand with crushed rock/shell mix under the live rock.

Are there any reef safe crabs?

What type of shrimp should I look for?

Do most people get snails mail order, or through the LFS?

 

[angelsj247]

shrimp.. you can get cleaner shrimp.. good cuz they accually clean some diseases off your fish, fire shrimp or pepermint shrimp, or a mixture. not sure about reef safe crabs.. i get mine at the lfs cuz inverts can easily die with any alterations in the water, but thats me.

 

[bertoni]

There aren't any true crabs that are always reef-safe.

Skunk cleaner shrimp are fun to watch. Fire shrimp are pretty, but are deeper-water animals and often hide most of the time.

 

[elegance coral]

Support your LFS.
I know this wasnt your question, but how long has this tank been set up? If It is not fully cycled, that is 0 nitrites, I would hold off on the clean up crew. I hope it is because you have the carpet in the tank. If not take him bact to your LFs and ask them to hold it for you.
When you are ready for a clean up crew you can get some Mexican Turbo snails. These things live forever and never stop working. The only bad thing is that they can knock over small rocks or coral frags. Blue leged hermits work well, they dont grow large and they are active. The bad thing with them is that if your snails are small they will kill them. The red leged hermits are useless. I had one stay in the same spot for about a month. They also grow to big. They can start stealing food from your anemone ( probably not the carpet but your next anemone). I hope this helps. Mexican Turbos and lots of them, especially in the first 6 months to fight all your algae blooms that are comming. Good Luck!

 

[Napervegas]

I agree on the carpet, not a beginner organism. Needs pristine water conditions and really high power lighting. Not to say its mission impossible, but I know I could never have kept early on in the hobby.

If you have algae problems a great fish is a foxface, they are active, eat lots of algae, and good looking to boot.

 

[ilovetrains]

0 nitrites, 0 amonia. Had water tested two places, good ph also. Carpet anenome came from
LFS, and would like to think he would not sell it if water parameters were not in good shape.

Sounds like I need to find some mexican turbos.

BTW - the margarita snails, are these good snails to have?

 

[Napervegas]

I agree on the carpet, not a beginner organism. Needs pristine water conditions and really high power lighting. Not to say its mission impossible, but I know I could never have kept early on in the hobby.

If you have algae problems a great fish is a foxface, they are active, eat lots of algae, and good looking to boot.

 

[drummereef]

Nassarius, cerith, astrea, and turbos are my choices of snails for the sandbed and glass. Had good results with them.

 

[reeftankjunkie]

Check out Keyscritters.com. They have good package prices and the customer service is first class. They have just about anything that you want.

 

[1F2FRFBF]

I have this on order from Inland Aquatics: http://www.inlandaquatics.com/prod/prod_detrit.html

Also expecting a shipment from Pacific East tomorrow - Turbos, Ceriths, and Cowries (oh my!). Already have Nassarius in the tank, along with two scarlet hermits. The Nassarius are REALLY good at picking up leftovers, and the hermits so far have been working on their little patches of hair algae. They're all pretty fascinating to watch.