Inverts Help

[dukey787]

Hey there, I am currently changing my tank over from an aggressive tank to a more peaceful fish only with live rock... hopefully in the coming months a reef. I used to have triggers and my biggest issue with them was that they made a huge mess in my tank. My rock and walls look terrible and I need help asap. I have a 220 gallon tank with 150 pounds of live rock and about 100 pounds or more of sand. My rock has very little color and the algae that is on it is brown and green. There is some coraline algae on my walls, but it hasnt really spread on my rock yet.

So my question is, what types of critters do i need. I obviously think crabs and snails, but was looking for how many you think I should get. First off, I have had mexican turbos in the past, and they did good work. How many do you think I should get? or do you think i should get astreas? Secondly, which of the crabs is the best cleaner and at the same time wont try to kill each other or my snails? How many should I get?

Lastly, what is your shipping policy to rockford, IL. I am about 90 miles northwest of chicago, and we have a airport that is a ups hub. Are you shipping rates free after a certain amount? if not, how much is it to ship? and do you do saturday shipping? thanks a lot

 

[Jeremy B.]

I think the Mexican Red Leg hermits (Baha Red Leg Hermits) would be your best bet for cleaning up the rock. They do a terrific job on all different types of algaes, and work detritus really well too. I would do in the neighborhood of 4-5 dozen of these, then maybe another 2-3 dozen of the Turbo's, with some Trochus snails mixed in.

Shipping to Rock is a 2-day zone from us via Ground. You can select this method if you choose, and most likely the package would fair pretty well, but we can not guarantee any type of live arrival on it. Next Day Air should be in the mid to upper $20 range being that close though.

Thanks,
Jeremy