View Full Version : cleaner crew numbers
bethkira2000
12-01-2007, 3:53 PM
I would like to know how much of each i should have in a 55g fowlr, I would like some cleaner shrimp hermit crabs and your basic cleaners. Any thoughts on numbers would help. I would also like a couple of pistol shrimp, the ones that clean fish.
It depends on what you're trying to clean Beth. I have 2 black turbos, 1 florida conch, 4 nassarius, 2 skunk cleaners, 5 peppermints and too many stomatellas to count.
I have about 15-30 nass snails, 3 large turbo, 5-6 Astreas, 5-6 Hermit Crabs, 2 emerald crabs. I had a urchin in the DT but he started muncing on my coraline so I moved him to the sump. I have had alot more at different times but they have died off. I plan on increasing my Astrea and Hermit count and maybe adding another Turbo. I have been looking into a fighting conch but they don't carry them around here and paying 30+ for shipping for a 15 dollar creature seems silly. I can't keep shrimp so I don't have any of those.
It really depends on how much 'clean up' your needing to do.
salty420
12-01-2007, 6:02 PM
you should start with a handful and work your way up as needed. maybe about 10 ceriths, 10 astreas, a few turbos, 15 hermits, 5 tonga nass... and sounds like you'd like skunk cleaner shrimp to clean your fish... i like a nice healthy CUC...
Reefscape
12-01-2007, 6:04 PM
you should start with a handful and work your way up as needed. maybe about 10 ceriths, 10 astreas, a few turbos, 15 hermits, 5 tonga nass... and sounds like you'd like skunk cleaner shrimp to clean your fish... i like a nice healthy CUC...
I agree...So many people rush out and buy loads for a cleanup crew, only for them to basically die of starvation. Its always best to start on the low side and build the crew up slowly...
Niko
bethkira2000
12-03-2007, 8:54 AM
okay I just want to make sure since this is a natural tank, meaning the only things in the tank are a protein skimmer, and two powerheads. The filter will be the live sand and rock so I wanted to make sure I have a good clean up crew to put less strain on my live rocks.
Another question I am going to put sand ans live rock in the tank, add a dead raw shrimp like everyone says too, but when and when can I add a cleaner shrimp.
You can add a cleaner shrimp after the tank has cycled. They need a careful acclimation but they aren't difficult to keep.
bethkira2000
12-03-2007, 12:44 PM
so after the dead shrimp does its thing? when should the dead shrimp go in?
Grins
12-03-2007, 12:55 PM
You add it after the water is in and you want the cycle to start.
bethkira2000
12-03-2007, 1:04 PM
Kay the water was kinda obvious, but thanks
lol, sorry. I just meant you would add it right away.
bethkira2000
12-03-2007, 2:51 PM
ooohhhh okay sorry. Thank you for all your help Grins you rock
You're welcome. Anything to help a Maine girl out.
mfiltness
12-04-2007, 9:28 AM
Sorry to hijack, but do you still need the dead shrimp to cycle if you have live rock?
Would live rock cycle the tank without the dead shrimp?
So you add water get its salt levels stable then add live rock, and the shrimp to start the cycle?
Reefscape
12-04-2007, 9:33 AM
Sorry to hijack, but do you still need the dead shrimp to cycle if you have live rock?
Would live rock cycle the tank without the dead shrimp?
So you add water get its salt levels stable then add live rock, and the shrimp to start the cycle?
Some people, myself included, prefer to have a higher level of ammonia when cycling the tank, so use a combination of the live rock and shrimp to get the ammonia up to around 4 - 5ppm and remove the shrimp...Sometimes, when only using live rock as the ammonia source, your ammonia can only go up to 2 - 3ppm and i just like to start off with more and get a bigger bacteria colony produced..
So you add water get its salt levels stable then add live rock, and the shrimp to start the cycle?
Basically yes, thats correct.
Niko
mfiltness
12-04-2007, 9:46 AM
Thanks :)
Reefscape
12-04-2007, 9:51 AM
Anytime ;)
bethkira2000
12-06-2007, 5:21 PM
glad you guys figured it out. Grins you are my fav.
glad you guys figured it out. Grins you are my fav.
Awww, I needed something nice this evening. Thank you.
bethkira2000
12-07-2007, 8:13 AM
Anytime Grins sorry to hear you weren't having a good night. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Reefscape
12-07-2007, 8:15 AM
Awww, I needed something nice this evening. Thank you.
Ahhh that Hex is doing well....lol
bethkira2000
12-07-2007, 8:17 AM
Niko, not nice on such a nice thread.
Ahhh that Hex is doing well....lol
The bad luck started the night before the hex when I got the speeding ticket. Therefore I find your claim to be responsible for something you shouldn't claim suspect and think you're mafia.
I vote to lunch Niko. Oh wait, wrong forum.
Anytime Grins sorry to hear you weren't having a good night. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
lol, nothing except laugh at my antics the past 36 hours or so.
bethkira2000
12-07-2007, 9:44 AM
hey Grins I vote to lynch Niko too. Definatley evil.:grinyes: