Is my clean up crew sufficient?

[ngochuynh]

It's me again looking for help :)
Here's the tank specs again:
46 gal bowfront, 45lbs fiji live rock, 50lbs live sand. Going for reef but have to wait until tank establish (patience...patience)

My tank just finish cycling 2 weeks ago. I bought 2 turbo snails, 3 astreas, 5 nassarius, and 5 red legged hermit crab. Is this clean up crew sufficient for my going to be reef tank? If need more, what else should I get?

And I also have a 3" maroon clown fish, one big hermit crab (don't know what kind but it's black with white stripes), one porcelain crab, and my favourite of all, the fire shrimp.

Thanks

[archer772]

The only other thing I can see would be to maybe add some ceriths for more sandbed cleaning and a few more astreas when needed. From what I understand most of the large hermits are predatory crabs so I might consider getting it out of there. I am just offering this info but with a 3 inch maroon clown in first you might have problems adding anything else to that tank as they can get a little aggresive and they are one of the larger clowns with the possablity of getting up to 6 inches.

[clown-lover]

I agree that when the blue legs get bigger that they become predatory I've seen it in my own tank..

I also agree with the Ceriths they are a great all around snail to have in any SW tank. As far as adding more of anything I would just play it by ear and watch your tank.. If the crew isn't doing what it is supposed to go pick up a few more of whatever it is that is happening (diatoms, etc) and add them to your tank. I believe in tailoring a clean up crew to your needs that way no creature goes hungry or they don't start killing each other (ie crabs) for lack of food.

[Morel]

On a side note, make sure you supply a number of empty shells for the Hermit craps to grow into when they need it.. Or else they turn there beedy little eyes on your innocent snails.. :)

[clown-lover]

I agree with this to a point.. I provided shells and the larger hermits went after my tonga nas snails. After they killed the nas, they then took up one of the provided snails.

[ngochuynh]

Thanks for the feedbacks. I'm going to get some cerith snails today, and as for the clownfish, I knew that it's a predator but my wife likes it, so it had to come home :)

[Grins]

I agree with this to a point.. I provided shells and the larger hermits went after my tonga nas snails. After they killed the nas, they then took up one of the provided snails.

Completely agree as I had the same experience.