This a good CUC for a 36 gallon?

[Grimreaperz]

10 Nassarius Snails
10 Astraea Snails
10 Cerith Snails
1 Banded Coral Shrimp
20 Dwarf Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
10 Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs
3 Peppermint Shrimps
2 Emerald Crabs

Let me know anything I should remove/replace with better?

TY

 

[Capiross1]

Just my opinion but I'd cut the snail and hermit crabs in half seems like a little to many for your tank size and they would probably just starve, maybe add a brittle stare

 

[bat21]

Way too many crabs. Just get the 10 scarlet hermits. Blue legs kill snails for sport. Hold off on the emeralds, and the coral banded. Just get the snails, the scarlets, and a pair of peppermints. I think that's plenty for a 36 gallon. You can always add more later if you feel like you really need more.

 

[roostertech]

Way too many crabs. Just get the 10 scarlet hermits. Blue legs kill snails for sport. Hold off on the emeralds, and the coral banded. Just get the snails, the scarlets, and a pair of peppermints. I think that's plenty for a 36 gallon. You can always add more later if you feel like you really need more.

Are there drastic differences in temperament between the type of hermits? (beside some looks prettier than other)

 

[BigEZ77]

Way too many crabs. Just get the 10 scarlet hermits. Blue legs kill snails for sport. Hold off on the emeralds, and the coral banded. Just get the snails, the scarlets, and a pair of peppermints. I think that's plenty for a 36 gallon. You can always add more later if you feel like you really need more.

This is good advise all the way around. I have a 45 and roughly that amount of CUC.

 

[BigEZ77]

Oh and I pulled all my blue legs and switched to a much lesser about of scarlets. Less snail homicide in the tank now.

 

[Grimreaperz]

5 Nassarius Snails
2 Astraea Snails
2 Banded Trochus Snail
5 Cerith Snails
15 Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs
2 Peppermint Shrimps

In Time:
1 Emerald Crab

That list I got was directly from LiveAquaria.com saying it was recommended for 30-50 gallons. I also thought it was quite a bit of stuff for a 36g Thanks for the advice!

This a bit better?

 

[CafeReef]

I would add 2 turbo snails also. Trochus are very active at night, turbos will help you out during the day.

 

[Grimreaperz]

Perfect so it is settled.

5 Nassarius Snails
2 Astraea Snails
2 Turbo Snails
2 Banded Trochus Snail
5 Cerith Snails
15 Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs
2 Peppermint Shrimps (Could these be replaced with Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp?)

In Time:
1 Emerald Crab (main reason I want this is 1) its pretty and 2) i am already having to micro manage Bubble algae.)
Maybe 1 Branded Shrimp (I just really like these guys.)

 

[hotelbravo]

I only have 10 snails and 10 hermits in my 180 gallon. they are getting the job done. i also agree you have to many on that list.

 

[Grimreaperz]

I only have 10 snails and 10 hermits in my 180 gallon. they are getting the job done. I also agree you have to many on that list.

I am sump and fugeless. I am going to need a bit extra.

If you are stating 10 snails and 10 crabs do a 180 gallon perfectly. By that reasoning I should only need like 3 crabs and 3 snails?

I am comprising a final list. doesn't mean I will be going out and buying them all at once and tossing them in. Just going to be adding gradually.

Very confusing hearing 10 different lists from 10 different sources.

The original list I got was directly from LiveAquaria.com rated for 30-50g
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=420+2791+1767&pcatid=1767

and that contained 30 snails, 30 crabs, + 2 emeralds, and 1 branded coral shrimp and 3 peppermint.

I find it hard to comprise things when everyone has a different personal experience and they tend to use that as the "best general method" I am looking for a general numbers thing. If you can contribute to how many I should have it would be greatly appreciated but simply stating you don't agree and then stating your personal experience doesn't help all that much other then re-iterate what others have already said. (which I have agreed with as well) The Fish Stores just want my money this is why I ask here before purchasing.

 

[mallard]

I would absolutely say less is more in the beginning. If you get too many, they will go after each other and eventually starve, leading to nutrient issues. I personally would get more trochus and cut out the turbos and astraea's. The trochus can right themselves and are super active. Turbos are great if you've got the space and algae to feed them. But later on, can be a pain with corals. Some also aren't meant to be in the warm reef conditions that we keep our tanks at. The Mexican varieties I believe are good, but check that for sure.

Peppermints are great to keep aiptasia in check, but each shrimp is different. Cool to have for sure tho.

As far as numbers, it's hard to say as each type of snail does something different. You'll want some like Nassarius and ceriths for the sandbed, while trochus are great for the rock and some glass. Turbos are good for glass, but I'd only get them if needed. You can always get some to clean things up and turn them in, or leave them if there is enough natural food for them. Start on the low end and see how the tank does. It's hard to give a solid 1 per every 2 - 3 gallons because everyone is different in how they feed, water conditions, equipment, etc.

 

[Grimreaperz]

So would below be a good first purchase and then the "In Time" list be what I want my end goal to be?

1 Nassarius Snails
2 Banded Trochus Snail
1 Cerith Snails
2 Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs

In Time:
1 Emerald Crab
Maybe 1 Branded Shrimp
7x Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs
3 Nassarius Snails
4 Banded Trochus Snail
3 Cerith Snails

 

[mallard]

Do you have anything in the tank yet? Is there already plenty of natural food in the tank, or is it still pretty bare/clean? If it's bare and clean, that would be a good starting point. You can always pick up more over the weekend if a LFS is nearby. If there is a bunch of food already, you'll likely want to increase that some. I'd get a few more nassarius (they are awesome to watch) as they are great at keeping the sand bed stirred and clean. If you've got bubble algae or patches of longer algae, that's where the crabs come in and an emerald might be good.

 

[Grimreaperz]

It is fairly "Clean" I would say. Here are some pics maybe give me a diagnosis?

 

[mallard]

Yeah, things look pretty bare at the moment. Adding a large CUC wouldn't make sense. You could probably look at getting an emerald crab since some hair algae is present. But you can also see if the other members of the CUC will take care of it first. If getting new members of the CUC is difficult, err on the side of a bit extra, but realize you may need to "feed" the CUC as your tank matures. This is why you want to start small first. But if you can pick up a few on the way home or easily on the weekend, there is never a better excuse to visit your favorite or five LFS and buy a few things.

 

[Grimreaperz]

Yeah, things look pretty bare at the moment. Adding a large CUC wouldn't make sense. You could probably look at getting an emerald crab since some hair algae is present. But you can also see if the other members of the CUC will take care of it first. If getting new members of the CUC is difficult, err on the side of a bit extra, but realize you may need to "feed" the CUC as your tank matures. This is why you want to start small first. But if you can pick up a few on the way home or easily on the weekend, there is never a better excuse to visit your favorite or five LFS and buy a few things.

Yeah I will be going to the LFS tomorrow. Might pick up a couple snails if they have any. I live in Canada, B.C., and I only have 2 LFS, 1 that is overpriced and in my town. the other is 30 min drive, and I get 3 different answers from 2 different people. The only other one is a 1.5 hr drive and overpriced but WAY BIGGER!!! (J&L Aquatics)

Hard being a Reefer in BC Canada lol! My other question is how reliable is ordering from a place like LiveAquaria or the Canadian counterpart https://www.canadacorals.com/

 

[jml1149]

In Time:
1 Emerald Crab (main reason I want this is 1) its pretty and 2) i am already having to micro manage Bubble algae.)

I though Green Emerald Crabs were cool too. They MAYBE nibbled on some bubble algae. Then I saw him nipping at my LPS corals. Not cool man. Never will I ever, put another crab in my tank. Even hermit crabs, not worth the risk.

 

[bat21]

Yeah I will be going to the LFS tomorrow. Might pick up a couple snails if they have any. I live in Canada, B.C., and I only have 2 LFS, 1 that is overpriced and in my town. the other is 30 min drive, and I get 3 different answers from 2 different people. The only other one is a 1.5 hr drive and overpriced but WAY BIGGER!!! (J&L Aquatics)

Hard being a Reefer in BC Canada lol! My other question is how reliable is ordering from a place like LiveAquaria or the Canadian counterpart https://www.canadacorals.com/

Besides my pair of clowns, and my initial CUC, I have gotten everything from LiveAquaria (or Diver's Den, which is the cream of the crop).

 

[mallard]

Yeah, LiveAquaria is one of the best when it comes to reefing livestock and customer service is great if anything does happen.