Cleaner crew for a 72 bow...

ghstrider · 07/20/2007, 09:27 AM

I want to start thinking about some cleaner crew for my tank and wanted some suggestions... I would like all the usual critters and maybe a few not so usual like a star, hermit crabs, CB or peppermint shrimp, arrow crab, and maybe a conch (if thats doable). What will work in conjuction with other critters? Please chime in with some help.

thanks in advance.

kuoka · 07/20/2007, 09:52 AM

I have a brittle star, blue legged hermits, astra snails, cleaner shrimp, and pep shrimps in mine. I used to have a conch but look him out because I've heard they can eat soft corals. They all got along fine though. Good luck.

chris31 · 07/20/2007, 10:03 AM

consider some turbos those things work wonders

rbtwo4 · 07/20/2007, 10:27 AM

What's the difference between "cleaner shrimps" and peppermint???

kuoka · 07/20/2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rbtwo4
What's the difference between "cleaner shrimps" and peppermint???

Cleaner shrimps are white with red stripes and are bigger than their peppermint brethren. Cleaners are the shrimp that will setup 'cleaning stations' on a piece of LR and clean parasites off fish that desire 'cleaning'. Peppermint shrimp are smaller and red; they can eat aiptaisia but it's hit or miss on whether they do or not. Pepps are also nocturnal so you may not see them eat aiptaisia.

ghstrider · 07/20/2007, 03:03 PM

ok... so how many turbos and mexicans shold i put in?? How many bluelegged hermits and shrimp? Any stars or anything else thats different thats reef safe??

kuoka · 07/20/2007, 04:04 PM

The number of snails is largely dependent on the amount of algae your tank will have to sustain them. I have about a 100 lbs of LR and I don't clean the algae on the back of my tank. I have 13 astra's. I use blue legged hermits to eat the bad macro algae like hair algae - I have about 8 of them. One cleaner (one died on me) and two pepp shrimp (you won't see the pepp shrimp as they hide). Brittle star's a good cleaners too but freaky looking. LOL You can also get a blue star fish for algae. Urchins are good too but they could eat coraline and will definitely knock corals over that aren't secure.

ahullsb · 07/20/2007, 11:41 PM

You need some that have a bowed shell.

haha

Grins · 07/20/2007, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kuoka
Cleaner shrimps are white with red stripes and are bigger than their peppermint brethren. Cleaners are the shrimp that will setup 'cleaning stations' on a piece of LR and clean parasites off fish that desire 'cleaning'. Peppermint shrimp are smaller and red; they can eat aiptaisia but it's hit or miss on whether they do or not. Pepps are also nocturnal so you may not see them eat aiptaisia.

The fire shrimps are cleaners as well.

ghstrider · 07/22/2007, 11:17 PM

bought 4 lg mexican turbos today and 1 has made it to the rock already and im sure the others will follow. I also bought a small hermit crab but he hasnt done a thing. I really want my rock polished up. What are the best snails for cleaning up my LR?? Should i get more mexican turbos?? How about cerith snails?? blue legged hermit crabs?

please chime in guys...

Eddy

benjonesn · 07/23/2007, 12:28 PM

I have found the zebra turbos to be non-stop grazers and very durable. Mine I've had a couple of years now and have grown to about 4 inches across.

http://www.marinedepotlive.com/zetutrsp.html

D-Rod · 07/23/2007, 12:33 PM

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/s...cfm?pCatId=420

You can get some ideas here.

07/20/2007, 09:27 AM	#1
ghstrider Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,405	Cleaner crew for a 72 bow... I want to start thinking about some cleaner crew for my tank and wanted some suggestions... I would like all the usual critters and maybe a few not so usual like a star, hermit crabs, CB or peppermint shrimp, arrow crab, and maybe a conch (if thats doable). What will work in conjuction with other critters? Please chime in with some help. thanks in advance.

07/20/2007, 09:52 AM	#2
kuoka Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NorCal Cali Posts: 713	I have a brittle star, blue legged hermits, astra snails, cleaner shrimp, and pep shrimps in mine. I used to have a conch but look him out because I've heard they can eat soft corals. They all got along fine though. Good luck. __________________ They say don't talk about someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.. But if you do, at least you'll be ahead of them AND have their shoes! :) Current Tank Info: 72gal glass bow front reef, mostly LPS with some SPS, tangs, anthias, blenny, paired percula clowns, gold headed sleeper goby, red fairy wrasse

07/20/2007, 10:27 AM	#4
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	What's the difference between "cleaner shrimps" and peppermint??? __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

07/20/2007, 04:04 PM	#7
kuoka Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: NorCal Cali Posts: 713	The number of snails is largely dependent on the amount of algae your tank will have to sustain them. I have about a 100 lbs of LR and I don't clean the algae on the back of my tank. I have 13 astra's. I use blue legged hermits to eat the bad macro algae like hair algae - I have about 8 of them. One cleaner (one died on me) and two pepp shrimp (you won't see the pepp shrimp as they hide). Brittle star's a good cleaners too but freaky looking. LOL You can also get a blue star fish for algae. Urchins are good too but they could eat coraline and will definitely knock corals over that aren't secure. __________________ They say don't talk about someone unless you've walked a mile in their shoes.. But if you do, at least you'll be ahead of them AND have their shoes! :) Current Tank Info: 72gal glass bow front reef, mostly LPS with some SPS, tangs, anthias, blenny, paired percula clowns, gold headed sleeper goby, red fairy wrasse

07/20/2007, 11:41 PM	#8
ahullsb Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: sacramento, ca Posts: 2,729	You need some that have a bowed shell. haha __________________ Andy Sacramento, CA Current Tank Info: 55 gallon reef w/20 gallon sump/ER135/ 75 pounds of live rock, 4 in sandbed, 2 b&w ocellaris clowns, yellow watchman/pistol, rosy scaled wrasse, Mystery wrasse, Copperbanded Butterfly, Lighting 48" outer orbit 2 150 mh/ 4 t5 actinics

07/20/2007, 10:03 AM	#3
chris31 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: long island NY Posts: 928	consider some turbos those things work wonders

07/20/2007, 03:03 PM	#6
ghstrider Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,405	ok... so how many turbos and mexicans shold i put in?? How many bluelegged hermits and shrimp? Any stars or anything else thats different thats reef safe??

07/22/2007, 11:17 PM	#10
ghstrider Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 2,405	bought 4 lg mexican turbos today and 1 has made it to the rock already and im sure the others will follow. I also bought a small hermit crab but he hasnt done a thing. I really want my rock polished up. What are the best snails for cleaning up my LR?? Should i get more mexican turbos?? How about cerith snails?? blue legged hermit crabs? please chime in guys... Eddy

07/23/2007, 12:28 PM	#11
benjonesn Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 94596 Posts: 50	I have found the zebra turbos to be non-stop grazers and very durable. Mine I've had a couple of years now and have grown to about 4 inches across. http://www.marinedepotlive.com/zetutrsp.html

07/23/2007, 12:33 PM	#12
D-Rod Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Paso Robles, Ca Posts: 1,020	http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/s...cfm?pCatId=420 You can get some ideas here. __________________ The Vino Man - I Trade With Wine...Just Ask! Current Tank Info: Small Tank, Lights, Fish; Tangs a whole bunch, 4 False Perculas, 6 rose anemones Mixed Reef.