cuc....yes this again

[AK707]

so much conflicting information out there to make a noobs head spin which its what my head is doing right now...
so how much cuc do i really need for a 40g nuvo? i know it all depends on different things but whats a good starting point and when should i add them?
i was thinking let my tank cycle, add 2 clowns, wait a couple weeks then like 3-4 hermits, 1-2 emeralds, 10 different snails, a couple different kinds of shrimp. i want diversity in my tank and if the cuc helps achieve that, that would be awesome

thanks in advance

 

[shadowmonster]

Assuming your using the purest water on earth, (RO/DI) just do the work yourself. (clean the glass, vacuum the sand etc) YOU are the best janitor that tank will ever see, plus your not pooping in the tank either.

If you just want a bunch of pets in your tank though then knock yourself out. Nothing is really off limits.

 

[AK707]

im using ro/di water and yea i just pretty much wanna put stuff in my tank to roam around and look at lol. and if they are cleaning up also then its like 2 birds 1 stone....i just don't want to over load the tank with cuc cause if they start drying that pretty much kills the point of them cleaning up

 

[shadowmonster]

Ok. If anything though, go slow. One at a time. Don't believe the hype.

 

[mcgyvr]

so much conflicting information out there to make a noobs head spin which its what my head is doing right now...
so how much cuc do i really need for a 40g nuvo?

There is no "right" answer.. No easy button..
WAY to many variables involved..
A 40G tank with a massive algae problem will require far more than a 40G tank with no algae problem.. 2 emeralds might be fine on your tank and they would be dead in a week from no food in others..

Its all tank specific.. No general rule that is "proven/guaranteed"..

Even the "suppliers" recommendations are quite different..
This one says like 80 snails (or 100 without hermits)
https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/quick-crew-w-hermits-40-long

Personally I would only get a small number of hermits (1 or 2 max) and not blue leg.. They tend to be "jerks" and just eat all your snails when hungry..

 

[Sk8r]

start with a few ceriths, scarlet hermits; then INCREASE the number every 3 months, as the tank matures. At full maturity you may want a dozen of each, and maybe a mottled brittle star or a very small fighting conch, plus some nassarius snails and of course enough bristleworms: food supply adjusts their numbers. That should do it for you. If you get too much algae, run GFO in a reactor. Outside of that, a decent skimmer, and you're golden.

 

[Betaktical]

Cleaner shrimp are good members of cuc and they are really fun to watch. Especially when they clean your hands. I've got 2 skunks and 3 peps and they are prly my favorite thing about the tank. And if your not going to have
Coral and don't care about coralline algae urchins will eat just about anything


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[ssick92]

start with a few ceriths, scarlet hermits; then INCREASE the number every 3 months, as the tank matures. At full maturity you may want a dozen of each, and maybe a mottled brittle star or a very small fighting conch, plus some nassarius snails and of course enough bristleworms: food supply adjusts their numbers. That should do it for you. If you get too much algae, run GFO in a reactor. Outside of that, a decent skimmer, and you're golden.

What she said...^

 

[shadowmonster]

What he said...^

She said.

 

[ssick92]

She said.

That's what I said... :lolspin:

 

[shadowmonster]

lol, burp alert!

 

[Grimreaperz]

Trochus Snails are awesome...good Diatom eaters. And they breed a lot.
Mini brittle stars
Bristleworms
Cerith and Nassrius Snails.
Peppermint Shrimp.
Just look up what you want to get rid of and "eaters"
Get something for algae, Diatoms, and detritus if you have a mixture you should be in good hands.

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[shadowmonster]

FWIW, all of this micro fauna/invertebrates could fall off the face of the earth today in the hobby and there would still be a TOTM. Addition by subtraction perhaps?
It all boils down to you...

 

[chrisfont23]

Never hear mention of the tiger tail sea cucumber. They keep the top layer of sand and rock nice and clean. Wait a bit but a great addition IMO

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[shadowmonster]

I agree, but it's like watching the grass grow.

 

[AK707]

to be honest i like the cool looking little critters, kind of like just something to look at while waiting for my corals to fill out as time goes by. emerald crabs, sally light foot crabs, shrimps and such just interest me, snails and hermits just look boring lol...i know the snails and hermits are necessary and will definitely get some. i just don't wanna kill the cool little critters for my fascination