Cleaning crew

[Rambo64]

My tank is just about done being cycled. I was wondering if you could give me an idea as to what the best cleaning crew would be for my tank. I have a 20 gal.The biggest concern is the brown algae that has grown on my live rock.

Thanks
Ryan

 

[physicsdude]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=420

follow that template, scaling down the numbers to meet your tank's size proportionally.plus, get an emerald crab too- they're good scavengers and will make sure the algae stays in line.

 

[DurTBear]

I have 6 astrea snails (clean glass and rocks), 2 nassarius snails (sand sifters), 1 fighting conch (meant to be sand sifter but likes to climb on rocks and the glass), 3 scarlet reef hermits and 2 dwarf blue legged hermits. They do a nice job with the brown algae on the rocks and the glass. I also have an emerald crab because I had some bubble algae and a peppermint shrimp to control a very minor aiptasia outbreak. Hope this helps!

 

[roka64]

Personally, I like nassis (maybe about 10) and ceriths (10 also) a fighting conch, sally lightfoot crab. I have a few hermits but am not a real big fan (they like to munch my snails that are upside down, or when they need a bigger shell). The sally lightfoot is probably the least agressive at larger sizes than most others. The above suggestions are great as well.
I would suggest, since your tank is relatively new, start small, other wise they may starve.

 

[Ziggy953]

I agree with Roka! Don't get to excited this early in the game. Take your time and add animals slowly letting your tank mature!

 

[Kurt_Nelson]

I just added a few more snails to my cleanup crew and added something I didn't put in the first time - one of the large nassarius snails ("super tongan" on the liveaquaria website.) After watching him for a few days now, I wish I'd bought some to start with - and I'll probably be adding a couple more in a few weeks. They really really do a good job of turning the sand over. The small nassarius are great, but the big guys are like bulldozers compared to them. I'd definitely include a couple of those!

 

[melosu58]

I would suggest, since your tank is relatively new, start small, other wise they may starve.

Excellent advice

 

[Rambo64]

Yeah I agree that starting slowly is the best idea. I think I will probably start with two snails and one shrimp just to get things started. I do have some decent brown algae build up on my live rock that I would like to get rid of. My Ammonia and Nitrite are both at zero and I definately plan on having the LFS test it before I even get anything to make sure what I have done is correct.

 

[roka64]

I would have them test nitrAtes as well. Although, not as toxic to your critters, as ammonia and nitrItes, over time it could cause damage if not kept under 20ppm.

 

[Rambo64]

Oh I definately will. I need to get a kit that includes nitrate and calcium testing