Help with clean up crew

Hey guys,

One of the most identified problems with my tank in combating my algae problem is my lack of clean up crew.

I only have like 3 trochus snails in a 55g. Clearly I need to add to this.

I am thinking about getting a mix of turbos, ceriths, astrea snails. As well as a few blue leg hermits that LA has said are "reef safe".

I am wondering how safe they really are? I dont want to get any hermits if they are going to eat my coral or pester my porcelain crab or cleaner and peppermint shrimps.

Will they be peaceful with those guys? Or should I look into an other alternative.

Can anyone help with the amount of CUC to get? I am also worried if I get to many snails there wont be enough film algae for my star fish to feed off. I dont want to get rid of that either.

I definately need some sound advice here.

Thank you very much in advance.

Ryan.

 

Check out reefcleaners.org. The owner, John, is extremely helpful and knows his stuff when it comes to CUC's. He has quick crews available or you can provide him with information about your tank and he will build a custom crew based on your needs.

Just bought my 2nd CUC from him- prices are great and service is top notch!

 

Yeah i agree with Astrick117 reefcleaners is great place to go and john will be more then happy to help you that where i got my cleaner crew never have any problem

 

Unfortunately Reefcleaners does not ship to Australia however you can still ask him questions as he is very knowledgable.You are correct though most members of the CUC will disturb the biofilm.If this is a Linkia Star your chances of keeping it fed in a small system are not that good anyway IME.I would not add more then one Turbo; they are voracious and will quickly starve in your system.

 

Yeah i think it is a species of linkia. Not a blue linkia.

I have been lucky with it though as it takes peices of clam meat from me and eats those as well. I feed him about once a week, and he takes a whole day to eat his food lol. So at the moment I think the star is doing fine. Its also very active, it moves all over the place often.

In that situation, would it be better to go with a hermit based crew over a snail based crew? so I can keep some film algae?

Will hermits disrupt my other inverts?

 

Look for some bumble bee snails they are a fun addition

 

my hermits sometimes knock over coral/rocks but, that is about it. One thing, when you keep hermits you will need shells for them to grow in. I find It can sometimes be annoying how many shells they go through.

 

Can you buy assorted hermit shells?

 

I like my blue legs but they do have there own problems, they will rip out a snail and take his shell even if it has an abundance of shells. the turbo snails get huge and do great at eating the hair algae nassirus snails will help with uneaten food to keep things clean.

and yes you can I just get them from a arts and crafts store or the beach, just boil before you put in teh tank. my LFS also gives them away lol

K++++ onj john though he knows his stuff and then some ;D

 

Mine kill each other for One shell even though there are dozens the some size for them to choose. They pull each other out of shells as well. They can be kinda fun to watch when they get frisky for a shell lol. I do recommend them, as they are very small and do their job, even if they sometimes have there little fights