Clean up crew

[Rich_1833]

I have a 25 gal cube. With a 3inch sand bed and about 30 # of LR. Im ready to put my clean up crew in and wanted to know what everyone has had luck with. I was thinking this but am up for anything.

4X Red Legged Crabs
4X Scarlet Crabs

5X Turbo Snails
5X Nerite Snails
5X Nassarius Snails

 

[jcjstl]

I have only been going for a few months myself... but i think your way overbored i dont think you need half that many crabs or snails...

 

[JxMetal]

I think that's about right. I used to have a lot of snails........now I have a lot of snail shells........but no crabs. go figure

 

[Reggae Fish]

I agree. That amount is fine. However, even though it's a 25, I would skip the crabs

 

[momac]

Hey Rich,

I would think about taking some of the sand out before you start stocking the tank. From my reasearch I understand that it is recommended to avoid the DSB on these cubes. Might want to read up on it... also, check out http://www.nano-reef.com for additional info on these tanks.

That aside... I think your CC is about right. I've found that the snail and crab population will decline over a period of 2 to 6 months. Obviously the crabs like to scrap.. not sure what happens to the snails but they also seem to decline. I have already added to my original CC (started the cube Aug of 06) due to losses, and I am in need of more at the present.

Good luck!

Mike

 

[inwall75]

Rich,

The recommended cleaner crew sizes by the various companies that sell them are for their benefit and not yours.

There's no way that could possibly have a bioload big enough in a 25g to support 5 nassarius snails. IMO 1 is perfect and 2 at the most. Even Dr. Shimek says that most of these starve in our tanks.

Out of your 5 Nerites, probably 4 of them will starve while they hang out at the top of your tank hoping for an incoming tide to take them somewhere where there's more microalgaes. (Unfortunately, there won't be a tide that will ever come in to move them).

I would consider 2 scarlett crabs at the most. (Microhermits are a good substitution for the other crabs).