Will my cleanup crew starve?

[iwishtofish]

My nitrates have finally subsided to 5-10 ppm (I have trouble matching the colors with Salifert kit). I am feeling that it is finally time to consider adding some animals to my tank, and I have heard people recommend a cleanup crew first.

How do I know if my cleanup crew will have enough to eat? My rock was fully cured when I got it, and all it seems to have come with was some pods and many a featherduster worm. I believe I am growing some diatoms - will hermits or snails eat that?

 

[drummereef]

I'd only add as the tank demands. Start with just a fcouple at first. I prefer nassarius, cerith, astrea, and turbos. You can always add more if you need to in the future.

 

[iwishtofish]

Ok, drummereef! Are all the above snails? If so, do you recommend avoiding hermits? I hope not, as I enjoy watching them pick at things. Also, is it ever necessary to add food specifically for the cleaners?

 

[pikachusalad]

Not sure if it's the right thing to do...but I clip a chunk of dried seaweed every other day or so in the back of the tank touching the bottom. The hermits and snails love it.

Nassarius snails rule - they live under the sand and keep a little probe thing sticking out - when I feed the fish they all come bustin' out of the sand and race around trying to get some fish food.

 

[magdelan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10245053#post10245053 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iwishtofish
Ok, drummereef! Are all the above snails? If so, do you recommend avoiding hermits? I hope not, as I enjoy watching them pick at things. Also, is it ever necessary to add food specifically for the cleaners?

If you do want hermits, ONLY get Scarlet hermits. They are the only ones wthat will not kill other snails for thier shell. If you do want other hermits, then snails ore not the way for you to go.

 

[iwishtofish]

I appreciate the suggestions! I guess the dried seaweed could benefit a Lawnmower Blenny as well, should it not find enough algae. I like the appearance of Scarlet hermits, and I have seen the Nassarius snails in action at a friends house - they sure come out of the sand fast when they smell food!

 

[pikachusalad]

Also...for hermits...I've bought a bunch of shells from this guy - just boiled them and threw a pile in the back of my aquarium where it's not visible - most of my crabs now have new homes. There may be better deals, but I've had a good experience with this guy.
http://stores.ebay.com/The-Hermit-Crab-Shack

 

[iwishtofish]

Thanks, Mike. BTW, I'm not sure what your avatar is, but it is making me head to the kitchen!

 

[drummereef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10245053#post10245053 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iwishtofish
Ok, drummereef! Are all the above snails? If so, do you recommend avoiding hermits? I hope not, as I enjoy watching them pick at things. Also, is it ever necessary to add food specifically for the cleaners?

I personally don't like keeping hermits anymore. The become aggressive towards snails, ime.