just finished cycle

My 30Gal tank just finished its cycle and i have a few quick questions

I am running a hang on back marine land penguin 200 and i was wondering when i should change the carbon filter.

also I want to get a clean up crew but i don't want snails, what would be my best options.
Thanks

 

Carbon should be changed every 2 to 3 weeks.

What kind of tank do you plan on keeping that you don't want snails?

 

just a fish only with live rock but my wife just does not like the look of snails

 

Well, if you're going FOWLR, you have to avoid quite a few of the normal FOWLR species since they'll eat crabs, if you want that to be your CUC. Crabs, as it turns out, would be pretty much the ideal replacement for snails, as there's not too much that has as diverse a diet as crabs do. A diverse group of hermits should be your basis, with a few other types of "regular" crabs, like sally lightfoot, porcelains, and others.

 

if you add live rock, good luck keeping the snails out.

 

One option you could go with is Dwarf Ceriths.... (Snails yes) but the mainly come out at night. so during the day when the lights are on they are burried in the sand.

 

how good would emerald crabs be

 

Nothing is going to be as good as a snail-based cleanup crew. Cerith snails, Nerites and Nassarius Vibex snails will do a very good job