If you can design your own tank

ibill1971 · 02/14/2010, 08:14 PM

If you had a 450 Gallon reef tank,

What would you stock it with for your cleaner crew? and how much of each?

shandy_say · 02/15/2010, 01:17 AM

50 nassarius snails and 30 astrea snails.

lordofthereef · 02/15/2010, 03:18 AM

Do I smell a 450g build thread?

Gawain1974 · 02/15/2010, 05:13 AM

I'd gradually build up my clean-up crew until I had the following:

50 Tongan nassarius snails
50 cerith snails
25 astrea snails
100 nerites
2 tiger tail sea cucumbers (they won't nuke your tank if they die, and they'll split to multiply)
2 serpent stars
25 blue-legged hermits (some people don't like these because they can predate on your snails to steal their shells)

I like to use a wide variety because each critter serves a different purpose. A lot of people like turtle fighting conchs to clean the sandbed, but I personally have better luck with the tiger tail cukes.

tkeracer619 · 02/15/2010, 09:01 AM

It depends on the system. You won't be able to tell prior to it being set up and cycled.

Too often people load down a new tank with snails and crabs. Add a few, give it a month or two and see where you are at.

cakemanPA · 02/15/2010, 09:03 AM

I would also be adding some fighting conchs to the list. They are now tops on my clean up crew list.

02/14/2010, 08:14 PM	#1
ibill1971 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 104	If you can design your own tank If you had a 450 Gallon reef tank, What would you stock it with for your cleaner crew? and how much of each?

02/15/2010, 03:18 AM	#3
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	Do I smell a 450g build thread? __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

02/15/2010, 05:13 AM	#4
Gawain1974 dc fanboy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Annick's flaps Posts: 1,212	I'd gradually build up my clean-up crew until I had the following: 50 Tongan nassarius snails 50 cerith snails 25 astrea snails 100 nerites 2 tiger tail sea cucumbers (they won't nuke your tank if they die, and they'll split to multiply) 2 serpent stars 25 blue-legged hermits (some people don't like these because they can predate on your snails to steal their shells) I like to use a wide variety because each critter serves a different purpose. A lot of people like turtle fighting conchs to clean the sandbed, but I personally have better luck with the tiger tail cukes. __________________ Honey badger don't care!

02/15/2010, 09:01 AM	#5
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	It depends on the system. You won't be able to tell prior to it being set up and cycled. Too often people load down a new tank with snails and crabs. Add a few, give it a month or two and see where you are at. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/15/2010, 01:17 AM	#2
shandy_say Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 625	50 nassarius snails and 30 astrea snails.

02/15/2010, 09:03 AM	#6
cakemanPA Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hummelstown, PA Posts: 2,353	I would also be adding some fighting conchs to the list. They are now tops on my clean up crew list.