Clean-up Crew/Stocking list

[Andrew_Murphy]

Tommorrow I'm going to head over to my LFS and pick up a few snails and hermits. I've read that I should place one snail per gallon and one hermit per five gallons, this seems a little excessive and more in the dealer's interest than the animal's. I've come up with a clean-up crew list and please feel free to help/comment on it. I have a 37 gallon aquarium for those who are not aware.

I've supplied my full list.

Stock
----------
6 Turbo Snails
2 Astrea Snails
4 Blue Legged Hermits
2 Scarlet Hermits
1-2 Emerald Crabs
2-5 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp(Once I put fish in)

2 False Percula Clowns
1 Firefish
1 Coral Beauty

[sharkmatt]

Sounds like a good list. I'd say you're about right. Maybe a few more blue legs. Also, watch the emerald crabs, they will become predatory and probably eat your snails/hermits eventually, possibly even your shrimp. Make sure you put some spare shells in for the hermits otherwise they'll kill your snails to get their shells. The shells you put in should be a selection, starting at just bigger than the ones the hermits are already in. You need to provide a couple per hermit so they don't fight over them.

[Andrew_Murphy]

Maybe 2 more Blue Legs?

Is there any alternative to the Emerald crab that will take care of bubble algae and pest anemones?

[sharkmatt]

2 more should be about right yeah. I only suggested it because they're little algae eating machines! No real alternative for the bubble algae, however your Peppermint Shrimp will hopefully take care of the pest anemones. I'm not saying don't put the Emerald's in, just keep a close eye on them.

[Andrew_Murphy]

Could I just continually cycle to emeralds out as they grow larger? They arn't too hard to net I hope. I also wanted to know if a firefish and a Yellow watchman goby can be housed in the same tank.

[sharkmatt]

You could cycle them but they could be fun to catch if they hide. Firefish and YWG should be fine aslong as you give them enough hiding spaces. You've actually just named the exact stocking list I'm going for except I want a Purple Firefish and my tank is 40g. Weird huh?!

[Andrew_Murphy]

They all are extremely interesting and beautiful fish, so much personality and don't take up 100 gallons. What are the chances that my watchman goby would cater to a pistol shrimp?

[sharkmatt]

Yeah there all great fish and all relatively hardy and easy to look after as well. If you want to go the goby/shrimp route, you'd be better buying them as an established pair. It can be difficult to pair them up if you buy them seperately.

[Grins]

Unless you're seeing bubble and pest anemones I'd not stock clean up crew for them.

[Andrew_Murphy]

Unless you're seeing bubble and pest anemones I'd not stock clean up crew for them.

I am

[Andrew_Murphy]

Also should I do my first water change before I get my clean-up crew?

[sharkmatt]

Yeah, once the tank has cycled do a small water change (10%) then you should be good to go.

[Grins]

I'd do a large water change at the end of a cycle. 50% even.

[Andrew_Murphy]

lol confused

[Grins]

I can see why. That is how this hobby is..differing opinions, good advice, bad advice, multiple ways to do things. =)

[Andrew_Murphy]

I think I'll do a 25% water change just to make everyone happy

[sharkmatt]

Lol, I don't think a big water change would be disastrous. I jus don't like to do a massive water change because I think it might de-stabilise a newly cycled tank. Like Grins said everyone has their own opinions and you have to make your own informed choice. Read other sites, don't take our word for it lol.

[ooja3k]

i just recently finished cycling my 30gal tank and after it was done i did about a 40% water change...

my inverts arrive today, so hopefully the water will be perfect for them!!

[ricsreef]

I would go with snails,shrimp only,hermits will nip at stuff,and eat your snails,I bought some emeralds and now regret it,they are more trouble than their worth!!Try to stay with a bunch of small snails that way they wont be toppling your frags over.If you really want some crabs,go with the scarlets,they are the best hermit,IMO.

[ricsreef]

Lol, I don't think a big water change would be disastrous. I jus don't like to do a massive water change because I think it might de-stabilise a newly cycled tank. Like Grins said everyone has their own opinions and you have to make your own informed choice. Read other sites, don't take our word for it lol.
The reason for the large water change is to stabilize the system.

[sharkmatt]

The reason for the large water change is to stabilize the system.

Fair enough. Like I said I don't think a large water change is a bad thing. I've always read that massive water changes aren't a good thing in a marine system because they can affect temp and pH stability but I suppose if there's no fish/inverts in there after the cycle it's not so much of a problem.

[Grins]

They aren't good for regular WCs and I too do 10% then. But after the cycle I did one 50% change.

[salty420]

i love my emeralds, never had any problems with them except they don't eat my bubble algae! i would add more snails tho, and i'd get some nassarius snails for the sand bed. i'd also recommend getting the clowns after the firefish as the clowns may harrass the firefish (mine did and it always hid untill it finally jumped out). i also personally LOVE my hermit crabs and with plenty of extra shells they pay no attention to my snails (plus the snail shells are way to big for them).

[Andrew_Murphy]

Yes without a doubt the fire fish will be the first fish in my tank.