Safe cleanup crew?

[platypusklr]

Any suggestions and experience regarding cleanup crew's? I have seen horrer stories about the oversold emerald crab. Sure they eat bubble......then eat everything else. Think mixed reef, softie dominant with a acro here and there. Heavy on the zoa's. Any suggestions? I am about 8 months out from starting my reef and wanted to get the wheels turning.:beer:

 

[pdiehm]

For my Biocube, I started out with:

4 Dwarf Ceriths
2 Florida Ceriths
2 Nerites
1 Hermit (now 2 since I moved the one from my 120 up to the biocube).

For my 120:

6 Florida Ceriths
25 Dwarf Ceriths
8 Nerites
2 Scarlet Hermits (1 died - the other moved to the biocube until I get nitrates much lower).

Once my clowns are out of QT, will get 3 Nassarius snails, and maybe 2 florida ceriths, and 5 dwarf ceriths for the biocube.

 

[platypusklr]

Sounds about right. Thanks for the input. Have your nerites ever had a escape problem?

 

[pdiehm]

not that I'm aware of. I have a canopy on my 120, and my biocube has a nice tight fitting lid.

There may be some in the overflow box, but I can't tell since in order for me to get in there and look, I need to take the canopy off.

 

[platypusklr]

Thanks. I am new to reefcentral...and forums for that matter. I didnt see any other threads explaining the intricacies of "cleanup crews". Hopefully im in the right place here.

 

[gone fishin]

some folks use a mix of snails and hermits others use just snails or hermits. Eventually hermits will shell jack some snails. so the choice is up to you really.

Also, the CUC is there to clean up excess food and crap. If your counting on them to rid a tank of algae then you may have a long wait.

I don't know if you have read the link. it is at the top of the forum and is basically a book with multiple topics. Good luck just my 2 cents worth

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1031074

 

[platypusklr]

Thanks for the link! Your 2 cents is always welcome. Im sure ill be hitting up the forums on the maxpect gyres later on in the game. Thats exactly how i plan on moving my water.

 

[Sn8kbyt]

I have had emerald crabs in all of my tanks and never had an issue with them, I have also always had hermit crabs.

CUC as stated is there to clean up food and crap. The only snail I give an exception to for algae is the large Mexican turbo snails. Those babies are lawnmowers!

 

[Tcox]

Many people prefer trochus snails for a number of reasons. I prefer them because of their effectiveness and they can right themselves when they fall on their back. From my short time of reading I believe your best CUC is a diverse group of species. To name some that I have good luck with:
Trochus snails
Nassarius snails
Emerald crab
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Cerith snails
Red scarlet hermits

Remember that crabs by nature are opportunists. Keep them happy to avoid nipping at snails and corals. There are MANY more choices in CUC species but I think that most would agree that this is a good starting point

 

[Hitch08]

Here is a very helpful thread that I previously bookmarked.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2488849

 

[Hitch08]

For my Biocube, I started out with:

4 Dwarf Ceriths
2 Florida Ceriths
2 Nerites
1 Hermit (now 2 since I moved the one from my 120 up to the biocube).

For my 120:

6 Florida Ceriths
25 Dwarf Ceriths
8 Nerites
2 Scarlet Hermits (1 died - the other moved to the biocube until I get nitrates much lower).

Once my clowns are out of QT, will get 3 Nassarius snails, and maybe 2 florida ceriths, and 5 dwarf ceriths for the biocube.

Where did you buy your CUC from? Online or local? I'm probably going to go out to That Fish Place this weekend.

 

[29erjon]

A great book is marine invertebrates by Ronald shimek. Has great section on snails, what they eat, and any cons associated with them...
Most lists will be simular in the responses given, in the end it will be partly on your preference.

 

[pdiehm]

Where did you buy your CUC from? Online or local? I'm probably going to go out to That Fish Place this weekend.

i bought from reefcleaners. the only casualty wasn't their fault.

 

[saltyskier]

I second Reef Cleaners. I've only had good experiences with them.

They give provide you with plenty of snails, so make sure you have stuff for them to eat. Also, I usually order for a tank have my actual tank size

 

[vhuang168]

I decided on a no crab cuc when I set up my tank. Banded Trochus for algae, Tongan Nassarius to stir up sand and eat up left over food, Ceriths for detritus and algae. I do have a Peppermint shrimp for the inevitable aiptisia but been lucky so far so he's been doing clean up work too.