Clean up crew - when and what to feed them

[Tooboot]

So I believe my tank has cycled. Last test had a Amonia at 0 and nitrate at 9, this after adding some pure among a 24h prior. For the last 6 weeks, while waiting for the cycle, I've been doing research on what I will be stocking. No algae showing up yet, but I am still working on my DIY LED lights and the aquarium is not in direct sunlight (somber room), so I am attributing these factors as the reason for no algea

Given this thread is about CUC, I'll skip my fish and coral stocking plans. I am thinking of the following (with potential to increase) for inverts:
2 peppermint shrimp
4 trochus snails
1 scarelet hermit crab
1 cleaner shrimp (after fish are added)
1 blue tuxedo urchin (only after 6 months or so in)

My questions are the following.
Do I need to wait for algae to show up before adding CUC
if not, I assume I will need to feed them, any food suggestions and feeding methods.

 

[ozreef88]

Not sure about the peppermint shrimp because I didnt add them in my CUC but I have had 2x Conch snails, sand sifting star, multiple hermits and some smaller snails and I have never fed them, they are all still alive and have been in there for about 5 months now.

I do have a coral banded shrimp who feeds on mysis shrimp when I feed my fish, I added him when I had fish to feed so that they all got fed. Not sure if shrimp are really necessary in a cuc.

 

[Ghost25]

How big is your tank?

Yes, you need to wait until you have algae before adding algae eaters such as trochus snails and urchins. I would caution against the urchin, and say that peppermint shrimp are fine but keep in mind they are carnivores not algae eaters.

I would recommend fewer Trochus snails, no urchin, more scarlet legged hermits, add some ceriths and maybe a nassarius snail or two.

 

[Tooboot]

Thanks,

I'd like to get a conch eventually too. Undecided with the sand star, I've read that peppermint shrimp will eat algea, and can reproduce in a tank potentially feeding others in the tank. Trochus because the right themselves, but could be mistaking this for the cerith I wondered about the feeding only because I don't have any signs of algea yet.once I get my lights up and running I should see more

It's a 36g bowfront with a 20g sump. Running a bubble magus nac 3.5, my return on one end and a power head on the other total flow would be approx 1200.

I'm thinking I'll get the clowin I was planning to pick up first. QT it while I finish the lights then look for a cuc

 

[cubbyman60]

Personally, unless you are a big fan of those particular animals, I would wait to add CUC as needed. If/when you have algae, add them. Then they will be more likely to survive and/or you can tailor individual members of the CUC for your specific needs.

 

[scooter31707]

Give get a piece of Nori and rubberband it to a piece of small rock and lay it on the sand bed. If it is not gone within 24 hours, take it out.