Cleaning Crew

[bjonesjr1]

Would like some imput on how many of each should I have in my 55 gallon tank to help out with the spring cleaning... Already have 3 shrimp, 5 hermit crabs, & 5 snails, I'm sure that I need more but would like a good rounded # to know that I'm in the right area I've read that the more the better, but is that true or is to much bad for my tank ?? Thanks for the input.

bjonesjr1

 

[bertoni]

I would add the cleanup crew as the need for animals is apparent. The number and type of animals varies on the tank, feeding, etc. Too many, and the animals just starve to death, which is a waste of money, IMO.

 

[Bugs825]

For a basic reef with
5-7 fish
40 lb rock
2.5 " sand bed


I would say

20 turbos
20 blue legs
5 large or 10 small nassarius
2 queen conchs
1 sand sifting or brittle star

if you need a mail order place that has them cheap, pm me and i'll see if i can find her e-mail

 

[bertoni]

The sandsifting stars seem to starve to death over time in our tanks, so I wouldn't buy one.

For a 40g tank, I might start with 3-4 Trochus or Turbo and 3-4 cerith, and work from there. 20 sounds like too many to me for most setups. I avoid hermit crabs altogether as they are predatory.

 

[supertech3]

Twenty turbos sounds like to many to me also, I would go with about 5, the other snail amts sound good, but like bertoni said about the crabs they are always going to take away your snails shells when they find one they want