Clen up crew advise

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reeling reefer

Aquarium Advice Regular
Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Messages
51
Location
Annapolis MD
I have a 180 gallon tank finished cycling and ready to get clean up crew, was wondering what kind of snails,hermits stars,cukes and such I should use or not use? I have read many different opinions about what to use, any suggestions would be helpful. I am going to have a mixed reef.
 
There are pkgs offered by aquarium size, but IMO they don't distinguish between new and existing tanks. For instance the recommended amount of snails for a new tank would starve. The crabs might have a hard time too. So I would add just a few for now. Consider 20 electric blue hermits, 20 scarlet reef hermits, 5 turbo snails, 10 astreas, one brittle star (lots don't like the greens - more agressive by some accounts), 3 cleaner shrimp, and if you're so inclined (since some don't trust crabs), a couple emerald green crabs. Also consider 10 peppermint shrimp. I'd do some research on cukes before you decide. Some can be toxic to the tank if they die or get bothered too much. I'd research'm and wait until your new tank settles in.

Compare the list above to LiveAquaria's recommended cleanup crew and I think it's still a lot loswer than thiers. Then you can look at nassarius snails, other neat snails, other stars, and stuff like that as you grow. But IMO, you've got enuf rock for the smaller (for now) crew to forage. Assuming you have fish too where the "crew" can get leftover food? If not, you may have to feed the crew anyway until then. Sinking pellets for the crabs and shrimps for starters.
 
I agree that your tank is too new to get the reccommended amount of clean up crew. They would starve to death. I would get your fish first and as stated above start out with a small crew first.
 
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