Clean up crew

B

brdracing

New member
I am getting ready to get a clean up crew but I don't want a 125 snails running around my 55g tank.
I want an effect group with out having to look at a ton of one type of animal.
Here is what I have in mind so far:
Nassarius Snails (5 to 10)
Coral Banded Shrimp (1)
Cerith Snails (2 to 5)
Tiger Tail Cucumber (1)
Mexicain Turbo Snail (2 ro 3)
May get some Cleaner shrimp and Pistol Shimp too

Jet let me know what you think
Brooks
 
Add more nassarius snails, they'll be hidden mostly anyway and they're fun to watch when they feed. The big benefit there is that they churn the sand.

I'd consider more turbos too. How old is this tank, is this brand new?
 
Coral Banded Shrimp can take out fish and other shrimp once they get larger. I'm currently trying to hunt mine down for removal, and it is a major PITA.

I don't know much about cucumbers though.

Mexican Turbo Snails are known for not doing well in reef tanks, because they are harvested from cooler waters... so if they survive acclimation, they will have a severly shortened life span.

Sorry to blast some of the choices...

Other than that, the Cerith Snails, Nassarius Snails, Pistol Shrimp, and Cleaner Shrimp are all good additions. Just make sure the Nassarius Snails are the Nassarius Vibex variation.
 
Re: Clean up crew

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13199891#post13199891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brdracing
I am getting ready to get a clean up crew but I don't want a 125 snails running around my 55g tank.
I want an effect group with out having to look at a ton of one type of animal.
Here is what I have in mind so far:
Nassarius Snails (5 to 10)
Coral Banded Shrimp (1)
Cerith Snails (2 to 5)
Tiger Tail Cucumber (1)
Mexicain Turbo Snail (2 ro 3)
May get some Cleaner shrimp and Pistol Shimp too

Jet let me know what you think
Brooks
Click to expand...

The key is to start small and work your way up to what your tank needs/what the cleaning crew can keep up with. If you find that they can't keep up with one type of algae then you might need to check your parameters first as to solve the overall problem and then add more of the type that will help you out.

For a 55, I'd say adding 5-10 of each type of snail you mentioned will do the trick. Be aware that most turbos are cold water species and don't last long in reef tanks. Consider Astrea Snails or Margarita snails instead.

I've heard bad things about Coral Banded Shrimps and Pistol Shrimps but the Cleaner Shrimp will be fine.

I wouldn't go with the Cucumber, they will strip your sand bed of anything useful and then die.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13199932#post13199932 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tswifty8
Coral Banded Shrimp can take out fish and other shrimp once they get larger. I'm currently trying to hunt mine down for removal, and it is a major PITA.

I don't know much about cucumbers though.

Mexican Turbo Snails are known for not doing well in reef tanks, because they are harvested from cooler waters... so if they survive acclimation, they will have a severly shortened life span.

Sorry to blast some of the choices...

Other than that, the Cerith Snails, Nassarius Snails, Pistol Shrimp, and Cleaner Shrimp are all good additions. Just make sure the Nassarius Snails are the Nassarius Vibex variation.
Click to expand...
LOL, great minds... :)

Why should you make sure they are the Vibex variation T.J.? ;) Perhaps you should show the pictures...
 
The Cucumber is a good idea. I think the Hype surrounding them is bogus. They aren't the same as Sand Sifting Stars. Mine chills on the top of the sand and eats ditritus. The whole toxic thing is blown out of proportion. You just need to feed them and they will live forever.
 
Here is a revised list after posts:
Nassarius Snails (10 to 15)
Cleaner Shrimp (1)
Cerith Snails (5)
Astrea Snails (5)
Tiger Tail Cucumber (1) (Will read more about this)
Pistol Shimp (1)
Cleaner Clam in the Sump refuge. (1 or 2)


Tswifty8, I ask the question don't feel bad for blasting lol
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13200032#post13200032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brdracing
Here is a revised list after posts:
Nassarius Snails (10 to 15)
Cleaner Shrimp (1)
Cerith Snails (7)
Tiger Tail Cucumber (1)
Pistol Shimp (1)
Cleaner Clam in the Sump refuge. (1 or 2)
Click to expand...
You don't have anything that will clean your glass/rocks...

Astrea Snails = Turf Algae/Glass
Bumble Bee Snails = Detritus
Cerith Snails = Diatom/Detritus
Margarita Snails = Turf Algae/Rock
Nassarius Snails = Detritus/Sand Bed
Turbo Snails = Turf Algae
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13200032#post13200032 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brdracing
Cleaner Clam in the Sump refuge. (1 or 2)
Click to expand...
What is a cleaner clam? (Never heard of that)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13200069#post13200069 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brdracing
What do you suggest that I use for that? Looking for direction...
thanks
Click to expand...
Here is what we just ordered for our AGA92:
15 - Astrea Snails
15 - Margarita Snails
15 - Cerith Snails
15 - Nassarius Snails
2 - Cleaner Shrimps
2 - Emerald Mithrax Crabs (if they get some in tonight)

So half that for a 55...
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13200079#post13200079 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brdracing
HumanIMDB this is where I found that:

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_1...ategory=4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4
Click to expand...
Interesting, never heard of these before. I would get a few more confirmations on this from others on RC before going with one of these. Please let me know what you find out. :)
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13200123#post13200123 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by brdracing
HumanIMDB is this the crab that you are talking about:

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_1...ategory=4&category_search=63&root_parent_id=4
Click to expand...
Yep, those are them. They eat bubble algae.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13199956#post13199956 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by HumanIMDB
LOL, great minds... :)

Why should you make sure they are the Vibex variation T.J.? ;) Perhaps you should show the pictures...
Click to expand...
:lol:

Took out my beautiful little crocea clam in under 12hrs... Damn whelks.

TT09.jpg


boo_04.jpg
 
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