The Package - too much of a good thing???

[g8gxp]

Ok, so I am brand new to the hobby and psyched about ordering the package. Am planning on placing an order in a couple of weeks.

However, picked up a couple of fish mags at Barnes and Noble and there was an article on reef janitors/cleaners. Basically what I got from it was that all of the cleaners do good jobs but most are harmful to either corals, fish or other cleaners. It seems kind of nonsensical to have a star that cleans and sifts sand only to eat a crab that is also cleaning up my tank.

Also, it stated that most packages that sell hermit crabs are always sold with way too many crabs. The package comes with basically 1 hermit per gallon, but the article recommended about 1 or 2 every 25 gallons. In short, the article said that most of the time you don't need to pack your tank full of reef cleaners and only a handful are needed.

Very confused. For those who have had the Package for longer than 6 months, what is your take? Does it come with more of these "critters" than necessary? Or are all of them really necessary? Seems like it's a lot of work trying to track down tiny crabs, snails, stars, worms, etc. etc. that may or may not be eating other stuff.

 

[redwarrior77]

I've only had mine about a month now, so my experience may not be the same as those who have had the package longer.

Any time you get live rock, unless it is dead in which case it really isn't live rock, you will get hitch-hikers. I think the TBS rock probably has more than most since it is fresher, but that also means you get more good hitchikers as well as more bad ones. Still, you can end up having to fight a mantis shrimp or bad worms from almost any live rock you get.

As far as cleaners eating other cleaners...that also happens in almost any tank. Part of a cleaner's job is to scavenge after leftover food or dead things. If they're hungry and there isn't enough to eat or if the mood just strikes them, they may prey on other cleaners. I think the only way I've heard to get around this is to go with only snails as your CUC, in which case, you may end up with a messy tank since they mainly go after algae and if you have fish, you're more likely to have other leftovers that need cleaning up.

For me, my crabs are one of my favorite parts of the tank. I love watching both the hermits, the red mithrax crabs that hitched a ride with my rock, and the decorator and porcelin crabs that Richard threw in for free. I'd rather buy more snails down the road than give them up. My starfish is also one of my favorites.

I think it comes down a lot to what kind of tank you want to have. I have a buddy who went with the most sterile live rock he could find and a CUC of only snails with a conch as well. His tank is beautiful with perfectly clear water and a very peaceful CUC. Still, my tank is also beautiful with it's lively bunch of characters. They are both completely different and I think that's great since we are very different people as well. I have fun identifying and occasionally having to catch all the new critters that show up. He has the security of knowing more what is in his tank and not having to be so afraid that if he buys something it might get eaten.

I think that down the road, our tanks will be more alike since his will develop more life and mine will probably calm down a bit as I sort out good from bad...I think we're headed for more similar destinations, but each took a very different route to get there. For my part, I think the chaos is more fun.

 

[docklink]

Most advice given on the start of a new tank is based on the use of the quasi barren "live rock" that is introduced. There really isn't as much material to clean up or keep clean in the early stages of the tank. With Richard's rock, the tank really does have more than enough detritus to keep the cleanup crew busy. There is also a certain amount attrition to any group animals that you introduce to a new environment, even when you are very careful in the adaptation process. Also, if you have followed any of the threads of a new tank here, you'll note that you get what you get with hitchhikers, including predatory critters. Those beasties can do a number on your clean up crew before you can find and remove them at times.
So, no, I don't think the number or type of creatures Richard sends in the package are over kill or inappropriate.

 

[figuerres]

Re: The Package - too much of a good thing???

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13066882#post13066882 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g8gxp
Ok, so I am brand new to the hobby and psyched about ordering the package. Am planning on placing an order in a couple of weeks.

However, picked up a couple of fish mags at Barnes and Noble and there was an article on reef janitors/cleaners. Basically what I got from it was that all of the cleaners do good jobs but most are harmful to either corals, fish or other cleaners. It seems kind of nonsensical to have a star that cleans and sifts sand only to eat a crab that is also cleaning up my tank.

Also, it stated that most packages that sell hermit crabs are always sold with way too many crabs. The package comes with basically 1 hermit per gallon, but the article recommended about 1 or 2 every 25 gallons. In short, the article said that most of the time you don't need to pack your tank full of reef cleaners and only a handful are needed.

Very confused. For those who have had the Package for longer than 6 months, what is your take? Does it come with more of these "critters" than necessary? Or are all of them really necessary? Seems like it's a lot of work trying to track down tiny crabs, snails, stars, worms, etc. etc. that may or may not be eating other stuff.

well one thing is there are a bunch of different kinds of hermit crabs. some of them get very large, not good for a reef.
richard's "Package" is a good one, he knows a *LOT* about what he does...
in the sea everything eats something. so yes some things may get eaten. and as was said.... this rock and the stuff richard adds is way more than just a"cleanup crew" the real deal is to get you a "chunk of the reef" in your tank so that you have a live ecosystem, all the way from bacteria to fish and shrimp and coral.

PS: I have dealt with Rich for almost 8 years, I have seen him deal with all kinds of stuff, Red Tide, customers with busted shipping boxes, with occasional really bad hitchhiker, with folks who just had a bad attitude and he alsways puts out 110% to help you have a good system.

 

[g8gxp]

Thanks to all for the good info!! Definitely gives me more reassurance that I'm making the right choice. With so much information out there sometimes it is difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, especially if you're new to it.

 

[figuerres]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13075477#post13075477 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g8gxp
Thanks to all for the good info!! Definitely gives me more reassurance that I'm making the right choice. With so much information out there sometimes it is difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff, especially if you're new to it.

Glad to help, lots of folks here have his rock and can offer help, also if you have questions or problems ask Richard... he gives good advice.

the only problems I have had in all this time are ones that he had nothing to do with. like my failure at times to keep up my tank.

one of the amazing things is how forgiving a lot of stuff from the gulf is, I've lost hard coral from the pacific but had gulf citters make it.

 

[Will C]

The advice is right on, I've had my 'package' for ab 9 mos and I am still finding hitchikers that pop up from nowhere. My last count of Gorillas is 5. My tank is in my office so the gorillas created alot of interest - all gone now and the corals I have since put in have (knock on wood) done very well.
The underlying cause for success in anything is a good foundation. I got my good foundation from Richard. Follow the directions, take your time and let nature do its work. With a little luck it will work out - do not rush introducing fish or corals, you will have your tank a long time. Good luck and keep reading all the info on the internet, you'll figure out what is helpful and what is not

 

[Drunes]

I ordered my first package when I was in Wisconson for my 180. It was a wonderful experiance.

Now that I am settled in St Louis I am building out a new larger tank and I am looking forward to placing another order with Richard in the spring time for the new 220.

I am looking forward to the day I can go pick the rock up from the airport. It will be a day or two of vacation and the thrill of opening the boxes and tanking rocks =D

Package one is always easy, package two always requires vacation days. =D

it is amazing what you will find. I do love the porcelian crabs. =D