Is This A Good Deal????

[Chris Jones]

I am adding live rock to my tank and want to get some tank cleaners in there too. I found a "reef package" that included the following:
Scarlet Hermit Crab: 20
Blueleg Hermit Crab: 20
Turbo/Astrea Snail: 20
Nasssarius Snail: 5
Brittle Star: 2
Coral Banded Shrimp: 1
Emerald Crab: 3

for $89 shipping included
is this a good deal and would this be sufficient for my tank size???

thanks

[Craig Manoukian]

I'm not a big fan of the CBS or Emerald Crabs. Things have claws for a reason.

I would opt for a pair of Red Skunk Cleaner Shrimp and more Nassaurius snails. Can they modify the package and maintain the price?

[Malachi]

I would be a big fan of Emerald Crabs if the rumor they ate bubble algae was true. I have never heard anyone say it to be.

Regarding price, i would say yes its a good deal. Do you have enough algae and debris in the tank to feed all of them?

[Chris Jones]

two very good points! no i probably don't have enough! i just got my first 15.5 pounds of live rock, fully cured. wow my tank looks different, but wow there is plenty of room for more rock! but this was a good deal at a lfs. i have a sea fan, little coral growths, featherdusters, and some very pretty purple coraline patches. $4.49 a lb. i only have a little alge growth in the sand. how much would be adaquate at first??
i will post site where i saw this, as they have many "packages", when i get back on my computer (am on wife's laptop wifi) maybe you can recommend a good combination.
thanks
chris

try
http://www.exoticfish.com/

I know some more but can't find them right now.
Gresh may know where.

[Malachi]

I did not by a package, i add a few a week. I started with 6 hermits and 4 snails. I add as i see needed. After a year i am starting to look for a cleaner package now the tank is in full bloom. If you are goiung to start with a package iwould get one sized for 30 gallons.

[Gresham]

Good deal? Maybe on the internet, but most those critters come from your states waters and can be collected for the cost of 1 fishing licence or bought locally cheaper. Some are harder to find, like astreas. Give David Guzman a PM, he might have some (hermits and such) he can sell or trade you.

[Craig Manoukian]

Chris,

Check the member map and as you move your cursor over each push pin you will see the names of 3reef members in the State of Florida. You can PM them and see what is available and who the good LFS are so you can build your maintenance crew as you go.

[Chris Jones]

All Very good suggestions. I guess my eyes are bigger than my algae problem. I'll go slow with a few inhabitants at a time.
thanks again

[Gresham]

Woops, sorry, David is a fellow Floridian.