Clean Up Crew

[Octoshark]

What do all of you prefer as a clean up crew for a seahorse compatible tank? I am asking in respect to battling feeding issues (left over uneaten food), so I was wondering if anybody has had any exceptional experience with a certain type of CUC.

Our skimmer overflowed and/or leaked (we weren't there so we dont know what happened) and we can't risk having that happen again since we are renters. With that being said, we want to make sure we have an efficient crew to help maintain water quality by cleaning up the uneaten food (we aren't overfeeding, its just that the horses are just messy and let food get all over the place). We use a feeding station but they still make a mess. We have never had an ammonia or nitrite problem, just nitrate. Our nitrate is hanging around 40ppm and I don't think our pistol shrimp appreciates that

So now that we can't rely on a skimmer, what kind of crew has served you well? We currently have 3 nassarius, 4 ceriths, and a few stomatellas in a 30 gallon w/ a pair of erectus. We also have some macro to help with nitrate.

 

[SaylorsReef]

I would definately increase the nassarius snails.

 

[Peka]

Nassarius snails and peppermint shrimp..... I used to put blue legged crabs in the tank but one of my reidi likes to eat them....

 

[rayjay]

I'm the only cleanup crew my seahorse tanks have and I use a siphon hose to do it with.

 

[Brian77]

I use nassarius, cerith, and trochus snails as well as peppermint shrimp and scarlet hermit crabs. I just love how the nassarius pop out of the sand the second food hits the water.

 

[ChadTheSpike]

To add to all of the various snails stated here, I also have a couple of brittle stars (not green, they are red/black color) that do a good job.

However, I am not sure the CUC will help out nitrate problems... can you add macro to use the nitrates?

 

[ctenophors rule]

Why not add the amazing seacucumber!

btw chad whats (wip) mean?

 

[Elysia]

work in progress

Or you could set up your skimmer in a sump (and, if set up properly, the sump shouldn't overflow if you lose power.) But I understand the renters issue...

 

[ChadTheSpike]

I agree, cucumber (if your sand bed is large enough )

Thanks for the pickup Elysia! yep, WIP = work in progress