The crew for the cleaning of the up.

So in part to address my cyano issue I am looking at my CuC.

if you can't bring yourself to read my sig ( hehe ) it's a 58g reef w/ a small fuge and sump.

I'm wondering if I have enough CuC. I started out light to keep pace with the lower bioload of the tank, but now i think the tank it getting the lead on the Crew.

CuC list:

1 large sand sifting star (not really CuC, just a nuisance predator)
1 medium fighting conch
2 large Zebra Turbo snails
4 Nassarius Vibex snails
5 Dwarf Cerith snails (had 6, one was killed by a hemit)
5 medium sized red leg hemits
20 tiny blue leg hermits

I really like the conch, it moves the sand a lot, and seems to eat algae more than benethic inverts, unlike the star, which just seems to kill the sand under it, which conflicts with the Mandarin I want to get eventually. Can I have more than one fighting conch? The name is what makes me pause.

The Zebra turbos do an ok job on the glass and rock, but they'er not getting it all....

I see some people have 20+ Nassarius V. in smaller tanks than mine (58+fuge). I think this could have a major impact on the amount of detritus left over from feeding and is a major part of my plan if I can get more going.

Dwarf Ceriths: Do they only compete with the turbos for algae on the glass? Mine aren't very active day or night, but with 5 in there it's hard to see they have much impact.

Red Leg Hermits: I have one that's grown to be 3x the size of the others, the rest just kind of crawl around and mind their business. The big one bullies the smaller ones, but they're all still alive. Should he stay or go?

20 Blue Leg hermits. I got them on the suggestion that they might be more likely to eat cyano, but I watch them run from it, they don't like being dropped on rocks or sand covered in cyano, let alone eat the stuff. I like them, and I hope the larger number doesn't turn into a curse... they don't really seem to have made a dent in my regular green micro algae, so I think I'm good... but am totally open to advise and comments on them.

I would really like to diversify my CuC with some limpets, chitons, and mayber a mithrax crab (have 2 VERY small bubble algae growths).


So... can I enlarge my CuC? Anything else I can try that might eat Cyano? Anything folks here tjhink I should modify?


... I know there are a lot of factors in Cyano, but mainly I think my problem is over feeding and the resulting PO problems. I am feeding 4 days a week about half a frozen cube of "Marine Cuisine" or 5-10 Aqua Dine flake

My only other recouse right now is to put UV film on my window.... but even that's not going to stop it, so I am trying a multi faceted approach.

Thanks for all the help.

(mods, feel free to put this in the algae section if that's where it really belongs, I think it would be useful here o there)

-Doug

 

Did you get your CUC at reefcleaners.org? You can go to that site and fill out a custom CUC form and he will email you back on what he suggests.

 

i would think that you are a little light on the snails. more of them definitely wouldnt hurt.

 

Yea, I agree. The CUC I'm getting ready to order for my 75 gallon consists of 80 dwarf ceriths, 32 Florida ceriths, 27 nassarius snails, and 11 large nerite.

 

I would also suggest more snails, but I would also suggest loosing the star and the hermits. The hermits will kill snails and eat many other things, and you have already noticed what the starfish is doing.

2 conchs. While they are small yes, but as the grow a 58 gallon tank is not big enough to 2 3 to 6 inch long conchs.

Kim

 

reefcleaners will be where I get my CUC for the 125 as well... awaiting an email on a custom CUC from them.

 

you need a bigger crew i use a mix of of crabs and snails at 2 per gallon or more in my tanks. just dumped 100 small blue legs in a 55 on top of the crew i had.

 

I would recommend about 50 more dwarf ceriths, a handful of Florida Ceriths and 8 Nerites of varying size.


Fighting Conch do not fight. The name comes from the horn on the shell. Like mentioned, size of the tank is the issue. One is great... two and you're bordering on starvation in the long run.

Let me ask you, does your conch ever get out of the sand (like up on the rocks or glass)?

 

As long as you keep a variety of shapes and sizes of empty shells for them, this is really a minimal problem and I wouldn't worry about it.

The star, I agree.

 

Star is going as soon as I feel better - have strep throat ATM (went to hospital Monday...severe dehydration, blah)

The conch seems content to stay in the sand. I've seen on the sand exposed, but he just moves a few inches and burrows back in. Never seen him on the glass or rocks.

I will compare shipping costs from reefcleaners to the LFS price next week and see about adding a few more critters. LFS doesn't have limpets or chitons, so that kinda gives reefcleaners the edge there.

Thanks for the help all

-Doug