Clean up crew

Brian_B47 · 10-16-2004, 03:55 AM

Here's a subject I haven't heard anyone talk about while I've been here.

What does anyone have to say about clean up crew's. I.E recommended amount's, what to use, best invert's to use.

Let me tell you why. I've had my tank for a year right now, and I have gone though one big learning curve. I think I can handle the chemistry quite well, (all things look normal) I do my monthly water changes, keep my soft corals happy and growing. But I'm still fighting a diatom problems. It really started when I introduced my MH light. I have 2 or 3 crabs, 3 turbo snails, 1 sand sifting star, and a cucumber. The scooter bunny has eaten all my LR critters.

Besides all that the tank looks healthy and active. I'd like to get into some hard coral but until I get this algae problem under control I'll wait.

So what do you all think

Scoffer · 10-16-2004, 05:27 AM

Im real new Brian...so my word is like a question....

but isn't the diatoms a product of elements in the water? like tap water? Phospahtes (PO4)? Im trying new water (RO from Walmart, 10 gal changes at a time) to help remove water contaminets....the diatoms critters are feeding on something...

also heard the high Nitrates are a source of food for them...

maybe a more experienced person can add some ..help!

Scoffer

Jason McKenzie · 10-16-2004, 06:03 AM

Brian, I would definitely thing more clean up crew is required
I would start off with
45 - Blue Legged Hermits
6 - Red Scarlet Hermit
15 - Astrea Snails
15 - Margarita Snails
15 - Cerith Snails
I got this list from a LFS recommended clean up crew list for a 60G (I thing they go a little heave on the hermit crabs)
You may want to bump the numbers of snails and reduce the number of crabs.
I don't believe your Scooter Blenny has eaten all your LR critters, It may have eaten all the Pods in the tank but your LR nitrogen eating population will be fine.

I would be on the hunt to bump your snail population for sure.
Hope this helps
Jason

Midnight_Madman · 10-16-2004, 06:13 AM

Walmart sells R/O water? how do they sell it and how much $

Jason McKenzie · 10-16-2004, 06:30 AM

It's important to remember that RO/DI Water requires filter changes and service to the machines that produce it. *In most large retailers the way to save money on these units is to not pay for service. *
Test your RO/DI water from retailers often

Jason

Brian_B47 · 10-16-2004, 09:15 AM

The RO water is clean I've tested it many times. It's just when I first started my tank, I didn't know what I was doing, and I filled it with tap water. I only learned about PO4 six months ago and when I first tested it it was off the scale.

I've done many water changes to get it down as low as it is. I now know that Phosphates are bad for a reef tank.

But what your telling me I don't have nearly enough in a clean up crew.

But what I don't understand, I've had hermit crab in my tank but they and snails don't get along. Hermits love to eat snails.

hoodoo · 10-16-2004, 09:23 AM

hm, normally they only love to eat DEAD snails. Maybe your snails died and then the other animals ate them.
And it is pretty good that they did, because otherwise your water would be pretty bad.

Brian_B47 · 10-16-2004, 09:57 AM

Now these hermit crabs were not the little ones. They were pretty big for hermit crags. Talking to my son he agreed with the suggestion but mentioned that you guys are talking about the small crabs.

I'm sure your talking about the small snails to.

I'm on my way to the LFS. Do you think its OK to add them quickly, or should I add them slowly.

hoodoo · 10-16-2004, 10:00 AM

you can add quite a few at the same time. Just aclimate them very slow. Snails are pretty sensitive.

And yes, we are talking about small snails and hermits. You've got to be careful with big crabs, they might eat your fish as well

Brian_B47 · 10-16-2004, 10:03 AM

Thanks for the help. I'll spend the next few days add them to quantity