Totally confused about cleaning crews...

salty420

salty420

this fish was coming on to me
Mar 8, 2007
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Sugar Grove, IL
OK so I know similar questions have been asked but...
I have a freshly cycled 37 gallon. I'm not ready to add fish yet as I am taking a vacation in April and do not feel I should be adding fish until I return. BUT, I would like to have something in the tank to look at (besides the rock). I was hoping to start with a cleanup crew or maybe a shrimp. I have been looking at the cleaning crew packages available online and am surprised at the number of inverts they suggest. One of the packages I'm very interested is called the Big 20 Reef Package from saltwaterfish.com. The package contains:
Scarlet Hermit Crab: 20
Turbo/Astrea Snail: 20
Blueleg Hermit Crab: 20
Emerald Crab: 3
Cleaner Clam: 2

I assume that this is the package recommended for a 20 gallon tank. If so, would it be sufficient for my 37? ALSO, would it be a bad idea to add this pack to a new tank with no fish? Could I feed the critters enough that they'd be ok? Or, should I start with just a cleaner shrimp (would this be the best shrimp for me?) or something until I get fish? I thought at first I'd be getting fish before inverts but now my plans have changed. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Kat​
 
A lot of people believe 1-2 snails per gallon and 1-2 hermits per gallon. Honestly, it is personal preference. People take into account algae growth, bio-load and simple personal liking when they pick out what they want. It's really up to you.

You may find a similar "package" at your LFS for cheaper, and you can mix and match more of what you want.

Check this out:

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84749

I added my clean-up crew before my fish. They had algae to eat but I did throw in some flakes too (the shrimp go crazy over it). How long are you going away for? If your tank's fully cycled now and you decide to add fish when you come back, I would do it slowly to prevent another cycle. Mini-cycles are pretty common though.
 
Wow that is a lot of inverts!
I will be gone for 10 days, my husband 5. I figure even 5 days is too long (someone will be feeding the cats and FW fish but didn't want to burden with SW fish as well) they would only be fed every other day at most anyway.
I'll have to check out my LSW store (called Reefs Plus- awesome place) to see what he suggests or if he has some sort of cleaner pack. That thread you linked to is useful as well, thanks!
As far as adding fish, l'd like to have 5 total. I will be adding 1 fish every week or so, with the exception of the 2 blk and wht clowns I want. I'll probably add them first. Glad to hear that you had success adding a cleaning crew first. Any advice on the right shrimp for me?
 
Personally I'd stock slower like maybe 2-3 weeks in between every one or two fish.
 
salty420 said:
Any advice on the right shrimp for me?
Click to expand...

You may want to check this out as a starting reference...

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/scateg.cfm?pCatId=525

I happen to like the cleaner shrimp because they "clean" my fish and the fish seem to always come back for more. The blood fire shrimp are related and are known to clean fish as well and, in my opinion, add a nice color to the tank.

The pistol shrimp is kind of cool as it forms a symbiotic relationship with the yellow watchman goby (a cool bottom dweller). I think they form this relationship with some other gobies too although I'm not sure. I believe Atnixon has a pistol shrimp and yellow watchman. The pistol shrimp can also make a 'clicking' noise that you may hear from time to time.

Some people purchase peppermint shrimp because they're known to fight off and eat aiptasia (bad fast-spreading growth that reefers try to get rid of). They're not guaranteed to eat it but I think they look good regardless.

The sexy shrimp is a somewhat smaller and different looking shrimp that gets its name from swaying its 'hips' back and forth.

My buddy has a coral banded shrimp and it's humongous! I don't know too much about them or the others I didn't mention but the link above, along with some other sites you can find, should give you a general idea of what you may want.

Again, it's personal preference. What "purpose" do you want them for? I mean to add color or to clean up or...?

It's really up to you!

:)
 
Germanman said:
great advice 5xevy!
what do u mean by cleaner clams?
Click to expand...

This is from the saltwaterfish.com site - cleaner clams, part of their cleanup crew packs

Great for refugiums. These Clams help to lower Nitrates as they feed.


Size:2 inchesCare Level:EasyReef Safe:YesDiet:Filter FeederAcclimation Time:1+ hour

Looks like basic clams.
And to 5exvy, thanks for the replies/advice!
I'd like a coral banded shrimp but think they are too big. I'll probably go with a sexy shrimp or cleaner shrimp. I will have a goby in there but it'll be a neon blue goby. I'm thinking that I'll start with the shrimp and maybe a hermit or 2 before getting the big package... I don't know :huh:
 
Germanman said:
what do u mean by cleaner clams?
Click to expand...

I found it on their site here.

I have some of those shells in one of my tanks but never had a live one.

Salty- so what "big" package do you have in mind? Decisions, decisions. :D
 
By "big" I mean an all you need invert type package. Like the saltwaterfish.com "big 20 reef package" (listed in first post) or possibly this one:
http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/livestock/product_info.php?id=1808
the one for the 25 gallon.

or this one:
http://www.aquacon.com/cleanuppackages.html
the scarlet reef hermit package
Still not quite sure exactly what I need :help: I just know I'd like some blue-legged hermits and the more hermies the better (have a 55 with land hermies, i like the little guys).
 
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