clean up crew...what else to get

[Octoberfest]

I'm trying to get a clean-up crew going in my tank, right now I only have about a dozen Trochus snails and know I need more.

So what else should I get. I've read the stories about hermits eating snails, but from what I've heard it's best to have both...is this correct?

I have a 125 Gallon tank with live rock and the only corals I have are two mushrooms and a toadstool. I would prefer not to get a cucumber because of what happens when they die though.

Please let me know what I should get and how much. Is it o.k. to add it all at once and if not how much over what period of time?

Thanks.

 

[pepe.king.prawn]

I've got a clean up crew in my 125g and have never had a hermit eat a snail or eat corals or anything like that. I would recommend dwarf blue leg hermits and scarlet hermits. Many stores sell red leg or red tip hermits, which I don't recommend, you should be able to discern the difference as the scarlets have bright red legs, whereas the others don't even marginally live up to the name. I have snails, hermits and a brittle star in my tank. I wouldn't say they keep the tank clean, or are a necessity, but they're fun. Many people prefer no clean up crew at all, but it's up to you. Good Luck.

 

[Octoberfest]

the local stores don't ever seem to have them is this something I should order off of the internet or is there another option? Also how many can i add at once and total overall?

What other types of snails should I add and how many?

 

[Spuds725]

Are you having any hair algae problems?? if so then a couple of turbos...

Hermit recommendations above are good... I'd get maybe 25 to 30 for a 125 gallon tank...

Cerith snails are real good detrivores.

Also Nassarius Vibex (Don't get Ilyanassa obsoleta aka Nassarius Obsoleta-- these are temperate water (colder water) mud snails and considered sand predators) are great at cleaning your sand if you have a sand bottom.

About 20 of each would be good IMO.

 

[Octoberfest]

I don't have any hair algea at all. I do have a sand bottom, well actually about 75% sand 25% crushed coral, i like the way it looks.

Now when you say 25 to 30 for a 125 are you talking 25 to 30 of each or split them up? If split them up how many of each? I just want to make sure I get it right, sorry for so many questions.

 

[Spuds725]

25 to 30 total (12 to 15 of each) ... I'd let others weigh in also, this is my opinion.

I personally have about 50 in my 135 (mostly blue leg)... a little much IMO... some people run with less others more.

 

[Octoberfest]

would something like this be decent to order, maybe in the 50 or 75 gallon package?

http://www.pacificeastaquaculture.com/Detail.aspx?ID=141

 

[Spuds725]

The Astreas are algae grazers (they are good grazers-- not as good per snail as a turbo)-- not much of a detrivore.

Also if you have a sand bottom, they can't right themselves if they fall on their back in sand... they come from a rocky area and don't have the ability... if they land on their back in sand and aren't righted they will die if you don't catch it.... I do have one in my tank with a sand bottom (came with the rock).

The crab mix is good... a little pricey for the crew though... if you can't get them locally then not a bad price I guess.

 

[IslandCrow]

I have had a little bit of a problem with my hermit crabs eating my trochus snails, but that generally only happens when I'm out of town and can't right the ones that have fallen over on their backs (it doesn't seem to happen that often). As far as other suggestions, I rather like my cucumber for cleaning the sand. I have a brittle star, but I'd have to disagree with Pepe about their entertainment value. Bloody thing is always under a rock, so I hope it's at least doing some cleanup while it's hiding from me. I kind of do like feeding it when it, though. It's kind of fun watching it grab the food and slowly work it towards its mouth.

 

[Octoberfest]

a little off topic, but how do you go about feeding a sea star? I've tried with my blue sea star but every time I put food under one of it's legs it seems to "run" away from it?

do sea cucumbers need deep sand? What about a conche?