kevin95695
Member of the Registry
In adding a cleaner crew is there anything I should stay away from?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Now hiring, cleaner crew.
- Thread starter kevin95695
- Start date
MrMikeB
New member
Now you are talking... I can give you a wealth of info on many different types of inverts. Lets see where to begin:
Some general rules I follow:
1) Go with snails that will reproduce in captivity
2) Hermits are great, but WILL eat your snails
3) Do not get large specimens or creatures that can grow large - no matter how cute they look
4) Understand their territorial tendencies so that you do not buy a bunch of expensive meals for the others
5) Most sea slugs are disgusting - plain and simple
6) Variety is the key to life
7) Feed your inverts - especially if you do not produce much in the way of algae, they need to eat.
8) Buy lots of them, its inevitable many will die before the right balance is made in the system.
That being said, I find the following work great in reefs:
Sally Lightfoot; emerald crabs; red ruby crabs; nassarius snails; astraea turbo snails; cerith snails; nerite snails; peppermint shrimp; cleaner shrimp; coral banded shrimp; sand sifting stars; horseshoe crabs (babies); fire shrimp; blue legged hermits; Mexican hermits; and red scarlet hermits; brittler stars (smaller ones.
Some general rules I follow:
1) Go with snails that will reproduce in captivity
2) Hermits are great, but WILL eat your snails
3) Do not get large specimens or creatures that can grow large - no matter how cute they look
4) Understand their territorial tendencies so that you do not buy a bunch of expensive meals for the others
5) Most sea slugs are disgusting - plain and simple
6) Variety is the key to life
7) Feed your inverts - especially if you do not produce much in the way of algae, they need to eat.
8) Buy lots of them, its inevitable many will die before the right balance is made in the system.
That being said, I find the following work great in reefs:
Sally Lightfoot; emerald crabs; red ruby crabs; nassarius snails; astraea turbo snails; cerith snails; nerite snails; peppermint shrimp; cleaner shrimp; coral banded shrimp; sand sifting stars; horseshoe crabs (babies); fire shrimp; blue legged hermits; Mexican hermits; and red scarlet hermits; brittler stars (smaller ones.
kevin95695
Member of the Registry
John: By-the-way... In the cup of mud you let me adopt, there was a big ol' unidentified snail that is cruising the tank and the kids love it! I'm happy to see it alive and kicking as an indicator the tank is at least capable of sustaining life!!!
MrMikeB
New member
John,
I am a registered breeder on the newly developed ProjectDIBS - Yes, I really am a geek, breeding snails... sheesh. It was featured in a couple magazines and fit right in with my own Project. I am expecting a shipment of snails here soon to get our feet wet with the whole invert captive rearing piece. Luckily most of these reproduce well on thier own so its a win-win. When that gets established, I will have a huge supply of the little beasts available.
Anyhow, most of the inverts I have are in my main tank and are a plenty... getting them out is a different story altogether. That being said, I am about to go in on a buy (I dare not say group) through Keys Critters for some reef safe inverts to be delivered on April 5. Not to let this get crazy (cannot take on a group buy right now), but if you wanted a nice selection of them, it would a be a good time to jump in on the action - just let me know what catches your fancy.
I am a registered breeder on the newly developed ProjectDIBS - Yes, I really am a geek, breeding snails... sheesh. It was featured in a couple magazines and fit right in with my own Project. I am expecting a shipment of snails here soon to get our feet wet with the whole invert captive rearing piece. Luckily most of these reproduce well on thier own so its a win-win. When that gets established, I will have a huge supply of the little beasts available.
Anyhow, most of the inverts I have are in my main tank and are a plenty... getting them out is a different story altogether. That being said, I am about to go in on a buy (I dare not say group) through Keys Critters for some reef safe inverts to be delivered on April 5. Not to let this get crazy (cannot take on a group buy right now), but if you wanted a nice selection of them, it would a be a good time to jump in on the action - just let me know what catches your fancy.
kevin95695
Member of the Registry
A lot of reefers over on nano-reef HATE crabs -- of all kinds. Are there any crabs that are 100% reef safe under all circumstances and won't eat all my snails or snip and snack on corals?
jlfnjlf
New member
Kevin,
I have developed a strong disliking for hermit crabs, so I am not planning on having any in my new tank. Nothing seems to tick me off more than seeing one of my favorite snails being worn by a beastly hermit crab. However I do plan on having Emerald crabs and Sally light foot crabs. I have not had any issues with the Emerald crabs in my 30g and from what I have read the Sally light foot crabs have the similar personalities.
RC user brianbigoats of Napa is putting together a invert group buy. That is how I am planing to get the crabs (for my tank silly).
John
I have developed a strong disliking for hermit crabs, so I am not planning on having any in my new tank. Nothing seems to tick me off more than seeing one of my favorite snails being worn by a beastly hermit crab. However I do plan on having Emerald crabs and Sally light foot crabs. I have not had any issues with the Emerald crabs in my 30g and from what I have read the Sally light foot crabs have the similar personalities.
RC user brianbigoats of Napa is putting together a invert group buy. That is how I am planing to get the crabs (for my tank silly).
John
kevin95695
Member of the Registry
I've been in contact w/brianbigoats. So if I find crabs other than sally lightfoots or emeralds as hitchhikers on my live rock - remove them?
jlfnjlf
New member
Kevin,
I was thinking this one out, and I would have to say there is no right answer. I have developed what I prefer based on my experiences. You may have a completely different experience. I have concluded that in the end I (and you) have a choice to make on a lot of the variables of reef keeping.
John
I was thinking this one out, and I would have to say there is no right answer. I have developed what I prefer based on my experiences. You may have a completely different experience. I have concluded that in the end I (and you) have a choice to make on a lot of the variables of reef keeping.
John
kevin95695
Member of the Registry
I hear ya John. And I value your experience, which is why I posed the questions. There are so many variables, I look to those of you who've been there to try to avoid some of the bigger mistakes.
I do like scarlet hermit crab. I have occasionally seen them eat weak or sick snails, but generally leave my healthy snails alone. Just make sure you have ample shells for them to pick from. Blue leg hermit crabs are ok. I avoid the red tip hermits. Emerald crabs are great for bubble algae control - but they are hit and miss.
I also like a variety of shrimps - especially skunk cleaner shrimp and peppermint shrimps. Peppermint shrimps tend to be shy - but they a good for keeping aptasia under control. Blood red shrimp are also really nice - but a little shy.
As far as snails - I like nerite, turbo, margarita, astraea for cleaning the rocks and glass. I like nassarius snails to clean my sand bed, and because they remind me of zombies when they come from under the sand for food. I think your kids will love nassarius snails. Cerith seem to have a high mortality rate in my tank. It could be that the batch of cerith I got weren't the best.
Minh
I also like a variety of shrimps - especially skunk cleaner shrimp and peppermint shrimps. Peppermint shrimps tend to be shy - but they a good for keeping aptasia under control. Blood red shrimp are also really nice - but a little shy.
As far as snails - I like nerite, turbo, margarita, astraea for cleaning the rocks and glass. I like nassarius snails to clean my sand bed, and because they remind me of zombies when they come from under the sand for food. I think your kids will love nassarius snails. Cerith seem to have a high mortality rate in my tank. It could be that the batch of cerith I got weren't the best.
Minh
brianbigoats
New member
keyscritters.com is where i will be ordering from for delivery april 5 PM me and i will give you the details
orientalexpress
New member
astrea snail is a wasted of money.buy trochus they're fliping themself over not like astrea snail .that why it's seem like everybody need a cleaning crew every 4-6 month.
