Clean up Crew

[mforsyth90]

Hi all

I am now patiently waiting (or at least trying to be patient) for my tank to cycle and so I though that I would start to do some research into the clean up crew. I have a 120l (26 gallon) tank that I am setting up as a FOWLR tank. I have read that 1 snail per gallon and 3 hermit crabs per 3-4 gallons is about the right numbers, but I cannot find much out about starfish and shrimps. I'd be interested to hear what board members suggest/recommend. Also how many should I add at any one time?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Oliver]

don't worry about these "rules" of thumb. There is no exact number really, the easiest thing to do is to get a few at a time, and see how they do. it is gross when people have like 50 snails in a 50g. I personally have 8 or so trochus snails and they are awsome. i don't need anymore. Hermit crabs also eat the snails and take their shells if they need one so be carefull of that. the snails should breed in the tank anyways so it should be ok. shrimp are ok but not necessary, same with starfish, be carful though, some starfish don't eat algae and need feeding.

 

[OrionGirl]

Gross? I have well more than one snail per gallon in my 120, and they are not gross--they are seldom noticable. Not all snails will reproduce in the tank, either.

I encourage people to get a variety of snails, starting with low numbers, a few different kinds, and then fill in the populations as needed. For hermits--you might not need them. I'd rather add a few shrimp (cleaners, bloods are good for a reef, camels are amusing if you're not worried about LR and sand bed fauna), then see if you need more to keep things clean.

For starfish--it really depends on what kind. Some, like linkias, are very tough to keep, and need large systems to feed them. Others, like chocolate chips, are predatory and not welcome in a reef. Brittles can get very large, but are easily fed, so one would likely do well in your tank as long as you target feed it. Other species will just get too large for your tank and should be avoided.

 

[Max]

Amen O.G. also you might consider getting a cup of sand out a well established reef tank. The little critters will help you sand bed take off. Diversity is the key in reef set ups .