Cuc - What would you recommend?

[Fishpalace]

My tank is coming towards the end of it's 1st cycle and I am starting to think about what and how many cuc I should have.

I have a 135L (35g) tank with both LR and live sand.

I was thinking about peppermint shrimp, cleaner shrimp and snails but not sure which ones to go for. I would like a crab but seen posts that say don't get crabs.

Was thinking 4 to begin with and then adding another 4 once I have first fish.

 

[Coelli]

My tank is coming towards the end of it's 1st cycle and I am starting to think about what and how many cuc I should have.

I have a 135L (35g) tank with both LR and live sand.

I was thinking about peppermint shrimp, cleaner shrimp and snails but not sure which ones to go for. I would like a crab but seen posts that say don't get crabs.

Was thinking 4 to begin with and then adding another 4 once I have first fish.

I'm in the middle of the diatom bloom on my new tank so I can tell you that turbo snails, astraea snails, and trochus snails are all good and cleaning the LR; however if I had to do it all over again I might consider going with all trochus, because they seem to move and work so much faster. The turbo does well because of his size. The astraeas are coming in last and when they eventually die I will replace them with trochus snails.

I did pick up a Sally Lightfoot/Nimble Spray crab. He's also been going to town on the diatoms and is fun to watch. I bought him from Vivid Aquariums (I'm local to them) and they knew I didn't want anything too aggressive/not reef-safe in the tank and recommended him. If he gets too big and becomes a problem I'll remove him but it sounds like he won't.

 

[Jrhunter0000]

blue legged hermits do well also.

 

[Calappidae]

For diatoms I wouldn't recommend anything as diatoms is more of an establishment/water quality issue rather than CUC issue. I'm not aware of anything eating it either but just touching it will melt it away.

I warn you about the oppertunistic behavior in sally lightfoot crabs ahead of time. Actually the worse crab next to some hitchhiking mithrax species to introduce.

But anyway as for the topic.. serpent starfish have always been a really cool and safe CUC addition.

Other than hermits, yeah stay away from most crabs.. emeralds you're pushing it in a small tank but most people will still give good reviews on them. They're just oppertunistic meaning if they're hungry and if there is an easy target infront of them they'll take the oppertunity to get it.

 

[Coelli]

I warn you about the oppertunistic behavior in sally lightfoot crabs ahead of time. Actually the worse crab next to some hitchhiking mithrax species to introduce.

There are two Sally Lightfoots; are you talking the red ones, or the nimble spray spider crab ones?

As for the diatoms, the snails have turned my brown rocks mostly back to white. I know the diatoms will go away eventually but I've appreciated the head start.

 

[Calappidae]

Percnon gibbesi

We never collect Grapsus grapsus that I'm aware of. (heck.. Grapsus grapsus would probably be safer to be honest.)

 

[Coelli]

Percnon gibbesi

We never collect Grapsus grapsus that I'm aware of. (heck.. Grapsus grapsus would probably be safer to be honest.)

Yup, percnon gibbesi is the one I have. The only fish in the tank right now is a yellow watchman goby, but hopefully there won't be any issues... According to the store he won't get any bigger than he is now. Now I don't trust him!

 

[Calappidae]

They get about 4 inches spread out. Make sure he is very well fed. They are very fast runners too.

 

[Fishpalace]

I'm in the middle of the diatom bloom on my new tank so I can tell you that turbo snails, astraea snails, and trochus snails are all good and cleaning the LR; however if I had to do it all over again I might consider going with all trochus, because they seem to move and work so much faster. The turbo does well because of his size. The astraeas are coming in last and when they eventually die I will replace them with trochus snails.

I did pick up a Sally Lightfoot/Nimble Spray crab. He's also been going to town on the diatoms and is fun to watch. I bought him from Vivid Aquariums (I'm local to them) and they knew I didn't want anything too aggressive/not reef-safe in the tank and recommended him. If he gets too big and becomes a problem I'll remove him but it sounds like he won't.

Thanks, I like the idea of having Trochus snails especially as they munch quickly.

I am cooling on the idea of keeping crabs, looks like there are more friendly cuc's to keep

 

[Fishpalace]

I warn you about the oppertunistic behavior in sally lightfoot crabs ahead of time. Actually the worse crab next to some hitchhiking mithrax species to introduce.

But anyway as for the topic.. serpent starfish have always been a really cool and safe CUC addition.

Other than hermits, yeah stay away from most crabs.. emeralds you're pushing it in a small tank but most people will still give good reviews on them. They're just oppertunistic meaning if they're hungry and if there is an easy target infront of them they'll take the oppertunity to get it.

Thanks, serpent starfish look awesome, been ready about them and they seem to grow quite big, 6 to 12 inches, which would be too big for my tank.

 

[Fishpalace]

Yup, percnon gibbesi is the one I have. The only fish in the tank right now is a yellow watchman goby, but hopefully there won't be any issues... According to the store he won't get any bigger than he is now. Now I don't trust him!

This crab looks good and would be a great addition.

Also thinking about fish and yellow goby look good and go well with clown fish. Also look fun to watch as they go through the sand!

 

[TangingOut]

I love my trochus snail. Bought 15 of them 3 months ago and can still count every single one of the at night. I also have lots of hermits, mostly either too small or too big to fit in a trochus shell. I also have 3 fighting conch to clean and aerate the sand. This is in a 110.

My return inlet forms a layer of brown algae every few days and I'll put a trochus snail on it and 30 minutes later it's completely clean. Then I have to rescue it and return it back to a rock since my returns come down from the top.

 

[Calappidae]

Thanks, serpent starfish look awesome, been ready about them and they seem to grow quite big, 6 to 12 inches, which would be too big for my tank.

Not really, they kinda hide and wedge themselves in the rock rarely fully expanded out and roaming around. The size 6-12 inches refers to their whole diameter legs and all, which are usually under a rock the majority of the time. One of them should be good in a 35.

 

[Coelli]

My return inlet forms a layer of brown algae every few days and I'll put a trochus snail on it and 30 minutes later it's completely clean. Then I have to rescue it and return it back to a rock since my returns come down from the top.

Haha I do that too... I have a couple of smaller rocks toward the front of my tank and during this diatom bloom, I'll grab snails and put them on the encrusted rocks. Make them earn their keep. :lol: The rocks get nice and clean because the snails would have to go on the sugar sand to get back to the main LR structure, and they do not like the sand!

 

[Fishpalace]

I love my trochus snail. Bought 15 of them 3 months ago and can still count every single one of the at night. I also have lots of hermits, mostly either too small or too big to fit in a trochus shell. I also have 3 fighting conch to clean and aerate the sand. This is in a 110.

top.

That must take some patience to find all 15. Do you have empty shells for the hermits to climb into?

Didn't realise you can have so many cuc in one tank. I plan add 5 or 6 and more at a later date

 

[chirojosh]

Im done with snails. After watching my cleaner shrimp destroying them on an almost daily basis, i feed the tank 1-2x per day, Ive went with hermits, knowing they will need to be replaced as they kill each other off.

 

[Fishpalace]

Not really, they kinda hide and wedge themselves in the rock rarely fully expanded out and roaming around. The size 6-12 inches refers to their whole diameter legs and all, which are usually under a rock the majority of the time. One of them should be good in a 35.

Ok, makes more sense and practical for a tank my size. Was at a LFS this afternoon and saw a few. Looked really cool, as you say they were under rocks or wrapped around them!

 

[650-IS350]

Tiger Tail Cuc, bullet proof IMO. I had one survive 2 tank crashes and still ticking.

 

[Fishpalace]

Im done with snails. After watching my cleaner shrimp destroying them on an almost daily basis, i feed the tank 1-2x per day, Ive went with hermits, knowing they will need to be replaced as they kill each other off.

Ouch, not good.

One thing I have learnt is that every one has different experiences, favourites and how they run their tanks which is great but can be very confusing. Some great recommendations and views which has helped me decide, I think!

 

[TangingOut]

That must take some patience to find all 15. Do you have empty shells for the hermits to climb into?

Didn't realise you can have so many cuc in one tank. I plan add 5 or 6 and more at a later date

Not really hard because at night they're all on the glass or on top of the rocks. Being FOWLR helps too. I do have empty shells for the dwarfs, but nothing for the bigger ones. I should probably get a few. Also regarding shrimp, I have a cleaner and 4-5 peppermint that have not done any hard to my snails. Maybe because they have a really strong suction and are rarely on the sand.