Suggestions for FOWLR cleanup crew

[ben jammin]

I've got a 260 gal FOWLR system with a number of good-sized fish (3-6") that are generally not invert-safe - a harlequin tusk, niger and blue-jaw triggers, melanarus wrasse, small red coris wrasse (stuck on just 2" long for over a year), juvenile dragon wrasse, and some angels, tangs, etc. My nitrates tend to hover in the 30-60 range, which my fish don't mind but does result in a lot of microalgae growth on my rock. My formerly purple ReadyReef rock is mostly very dark purple now, and greenish-brown in some areas.

I have a few handful of snails and small hermits that survived some copper treatments about 6 months ago to combat an ich outbreak, and the attentios of my wrasses and triggers. But there aren't nearly enough to really keep things clean. I'd like to add a cleanup crew that can really keep my size tank spiffy, but I need critters that can handle the nitrates and not become easy snacks for my fish. I don't mind losing some to predation here and there but I don't want them quickly decimated either.

Would a tuxedo urchin be a good option? How about brittle stars or sea cucumbers to help clean the sandbed of uneaten food and fish poop? Any particular kinds of snails or larger crabs? Any of these that might not be appetizing to my fish? Are the nitrate levels going to be a problem for all of these?

All suggestions and experiences would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Fishmaster13]

I've never had some of those fish but for the less aggressive fish on that list I could suggest some things. I've had many wrasses and 1 I currently have is a melanarus wrasse and I also have a blue and yellow tang along with a flame, potters, and coral beauty angelfish. They don't even harm my snails, which might be a problem for you since you have triggers, but I think you could buy 3 or 4 and maybe you'll get lucky and you could add some more. I doubt snails will work, but hermit crabs probably would. Make sure you put them in when the lights are off so they can get to cover. You can try small ones but medium and maybe even a couple large would have a better chance at survival. I don't know much about urchins except that the fish I have leave my 2 long spine and 1 pencil urchins alone. For starfish, again, my African and chocolate chip star are fine but your triggers would probably polish it off. You could try a couple emerald crabs as well, they would probably do well. Other than that I'm pretty sure most other CC's would become lunch in your tank (conchs, arrow crabs, etc). Good luck finding a CC!