new tank clean up crew feeding question

imcosmokramer · 02/23/2008, 12:31 AM

sorry if this is too basic.

I am starting a new tank. Once it's cycled, I will want to add a cuc. However, it seems that when I look online for a 75gl cuc, it's huge. Is it ok to have so many little critters, even if there are no fish in the tank yet? What do you feed the cuc? I know they will eat algae, etc, but do I need to supplement their feeding?

t11t5 · 02/23/2008, 01:15 AM

If there is not enough algae for them to eat, you will have to supplement their feeding. Any algae foods will work. Algae wafers, strips, etc.

demonsp · 02/23/2008, 01:22 AM

You want water readings low and steady. Then add a few CUC like hermits and snails.Wait and if readings stay good then add a fish or coral and a few more CUC then wait and repeat.You can adjust CUC as you proceed.

imcosmokramer · 02/23/2008, 08:47 AM

ok... so then, I should not order a CUC rated for my tank? For example on the Docs website, they list (just using this as an example):

20 Trochus Snail or Turban Snail
15 Super Tongan Nassarius Snail
30 Cerith Snail
25 Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab

If I order a full crew, would it be too much? Or should I buy it and supplement feed until there is enough algae?

HammerDude33 · 02/23/2008, 09:00 AM

i think it's too much.
nassarius snails don't eat algae. they eat uneaten food and possibly detrius(i only see mine eating the uneaten foods missed by the corals/fish) 15 of them will not have enough to eat.

HammerDude33 · 02/23/2008, 09:01 AM

i just posted this a few threads down....

there will be many different opinions on this.

the true answer is, add what you want. i know people who have a hundred snails in a tank your size, and they have algae issues, while i have about 25 snails in a 200 gallon, and i don't have any trouble with algae.

i'd suggest 2 or 3 nassarius snails tops-if you have a sand bed. they clean it of uneaten food pretty good.

don't buy any sand sifting stars or cucumbers. these will starve in your new tank.

the best defense for algae is steadily clean water, and a mag-float/algae scraper. snails do a terrible job at cleaning glass IMO. i believe that the more pooping critters you have in your tank(snails included) the more food for algae is introduced.

i'd suggest a couple cleaner shrimp, if you like those. they are interesting to watch, and do a good job picking up uneaten food from the rock and substrate.

btw..whether you have a cleanup crew or not, you will have algae blooms. it's inevitable with a new tank.

02/23/2008, 12:31 AM	#1
imcosmokramer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,709	new tank clean up crew feeding question sorry if this is too basic. I am starting a new tank. Once it's cycled, I will want to add a cuc. However, it seems that when I look online for a 75gl cuc, it's huge. Is it ok to have so many little critters, even if there are no fish in the tank yet? What do you feed the cuc? I know they will eat algae, etc, but do I need to supplement their feeding?

02/23/2008, 01:15 AM	#2
t11t5 I love Bass Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,847	If there is not enough algae for them to eat, you will have to supplement their feeding. Any algae foods will work. Algae wafers, strips, etc.

02/23/2008, 01:22 AM	#3
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	You want water readings low and steady. Then add a few CUC like hermits and snails.Wait and if readings stay good then add a fish or coral and a few more CUC then wait and repeat.You can adjust CUC as you proceed.

02/23/2008, 08:47 AM	#4
imcosmokramer Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cleveland, OH Posts: 1,709	ok... so then, I should not order a CUC rated for my tank? For example on the Docs website, they list (just using this as an example): 20 Trochus Snail or Turban Snail 15 Super Tongan Nassarius Snail 30 Cerith Snail 25 Scarlet Reef Hermit Crab If I order a full crew, would it be too much? Or should I buy it and supplement feed until there is enough algae?

02/23/2008, 09:00 AM	#5
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	i think it's too much. nassarius snails don't eat algae. they eat uneaten food and possibly detrius(i only see mine eating the uneaten foods missed by the corals/fish) 15 of them will not have enough to eat.

02/23/2008, 09:01 AM	#6
HammerDude33 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eastern, Pa - USA Posts: 258	i just posted this a few threads down.... there will be many different opinions on this. the true answer is, add what you want. i know people who have a hundred snails in a tank your size, and they have algae issues, while i have about 25 snails in a 200 gallon, and i don't have any trouble with algae. i'd suggest 2 or 3 nassarius snails tops-if you have a sand bed. they clean it of uneaten food pretty good. don't buy any sand sifting stars or cucumbers. these will starve in your new tank. the best defense for algae is steadily clean water, and a mag-float/algae scraper. snails do a terrible job at cleaning glass IMO. i believe that the more pooping critters you have in your tank(snails included) the more food for algae is introduced. i'd suggest a couple cleaner shrimp, if you like those. they are interesting to watch, and do a good job picking up uneaten food from the rock and substrate. btw..whether you have a cleanup crew or not, you will have algae blooms. it's inevitable with a new tank.