Clean up crew

[cdeboard]

I have been researching a CUC for my new tank...
Hermits seem to be common in clean up crews..
They seem to me in my 37g more trouble than they are worth.
They are always knocking over corals, bothering anything new I put in there wether it be rocks or corals. What exactly is their role in a CUC?

Snails seem to be the main part of a CUC...

Correct me if I am wrong on any of this..
I am just trying to find the best CUC for the best price.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

I've never been a big fan of hermits. The blue legs seem to be the most aggressive of the species. I have only two hermits in my 30g cube. A burgandy hermit and an electric blue hermit. I like to have a decent mix of snails. Tongan and regular nassarius snails, turbos, margaritas and ceriths.

 

[rehype]

Try reefcleaners.org john can put together an awesome cuc package for you.

 

[mcarroll]

...also not a fan of hermits in my 38 gallon reef.

I'll say that in a fish only tank they're probably far less undesirable.

Having said that, Ceriths are my favorite snail: they will cover the glass and rock as well burrow in the sand looking for algae. On top of that, they reproduce like crazy at least in my tank.

The Ceriths I have I've seen referred to as "white tip" Ceriths. There are two main Cerith species in the trade and supposedly only the "white tips" will reproduce.

I do think it's a good idea to have a variety of snails though as I presume that different species might favor different types of algae. I have 3 turbos (I secure all my corals), 5 margaritas, 1 Nassarius vibex, and 17 ceriths. Plus probably a minimum of 20 (maybe 50-100?) baby ceriths. I've also had a fleet of limpets show up as volunteers from some coral I added and they seem to be flourishing - dozens, about 1 cm or less each, can be seen on just about every rock in the tank. There are also one or maybe two volunteer Stomatella snails cruising the tank.

I also keep two serpent stars in the tank and think they do a great job keeping things clean in the rocks and on the sand bed. Probably one serpent would be enough, as I do not have fish in this tank, only corals and the CUC.

Support your local fish store.

-Matt

 

[cdeboard]

I had john build me one... will add hermits later per john but just ordered snails for now until I get more live stock. should be here tuesday or so.

100 dwarf cerinths
48 florida cerinths
20 large nerite