Benefit of Clean up Crew?

jdhastings · 09/06/2013, 05:55 PM

I have a 55 gallon Fish only tank, with no live rock. I have never had any problems with nitrates or anything and would like to keep it that way. I have had a slight algae on the glass lately so am interested in a clean up crew. Would a clean up crew benefit my tank or just create more bioload?

jdhastings · 09/06/2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdhastings

I have a 55 gallon Fish only tank, with no live rock. I have never had any problems with nitrates or anything and would like to keep it that way. I have had a slight algae on the glass lately so am interested in a clean up crew. Would a clean up crew benefit my tank or just create more bioload?

I already have a chocolate chip star.

Pez68 · 09/06/2013, 05:57 PM

Trochus snails are awesome and they are lawnmowers when it comes to algae.

Have a picture of how much algae you have?

jdhastings · 09/06/2013, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pez68

Trochus snails are awesome and they are lawnmowers when it comes to algae.

Have a picture of how much algae you have?

It's not that much, I just scrape it off maybe every 3 days or so. Will those create more nitrous or ammonia or anything?

Pez68 · 09/06/2013, 06:05 PM

I don't notice any ill effects of having them. They obviously contribute nitrates like any other livestock. If they eat, they have to poop. If you're cleaning algae every 3 days, maybe start off with 1 snail and see how it does? They add some variety and character to the tank. They are pretty voracious eaters, so don't overdo it. Only get as many as the algae will support, or you'll be buying algae sheets to feed them...

ska d · 09/06/2013, 07:15 PM

If you got algae, you got nitrates and phosphates. A cuc will do nothing to change that. The crew may clean up the glass but that algae will just keep coming back.

cloak · 09/06/2013, 07:19 PM

Assuming your source water is on the level, manual labor goes a long way... (husbandry)

Having the least amount of janitors in your tank is really what you want to strive for IMO. GL.

Pez68 · 09/06/2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloak

Assuming your source water is on the level, manual labor goes a long way... (husbandry)

Having the least amount of janitors in your tank is really what you want to strive for IMO. GL.

I like my janitors.

ca1ore · 09/06/2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ska d

If you got algae, you got nitrates and phosphates. A cuc will do nothing to change that. The crew may clean up the glass but that algae will just keep coming back.

EVERY tank has nitrates, phosphates and algae ..... in some it is a problem, in others it is not. Keeping phosphates very low, and nitrates controlled, along with a CUC will keep algae in check.

ca1ore · 09/06/2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdhastings

I have a 55 gallon Fish only tank, with no live rock. I have never had any problems with nitrates or anything and would like to keep it that way. I have had a slight algae on the glass lately so am interested in a clean up crew. Would a clean up crew benefit my tank or just create more bioload?

'Dust' algae will form on the glass of most tanks, and is better managed with a magnetic glass cleaner than a CUC. If you have rocks, and start to get algae forming on them, then a CUC is a sensible step.

cloak · 09/06/2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pez68

I like my janitors.

Sometimes snails are pets, sometimes they're just a means to an end...

Less is more IMO. GL.

09/06/2013, 05:55 PM	#1
jdhastings Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 20	Benefit of Clean up Crew? I have a 55 gallon Fish only tank, with no live rock. I have never had any problems with nitrates or anything and would like to keep it that way. I have had a slight algae on the glass lately so am interested in a clean up crew. Would a clean up crew benefit my tank or just create more bioload?

09/06/2013, 05:57 PM	#3
Pez68 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Suburbs of Chicago Posts: 165	Trochus snails are awesome and they are lawnmowers when it comes to algae. Have a picture of how much algae you have?

09/06/2013, 06:05 PM	#5
Pez68 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: South Suburbs of Chicago Posts: 165	I don't notice any ill effects of having them. They obviously contribute nitrates like any other livestock. If they eat, they have to poop. If you're cleaning algae every 3 days, maybe start off with 1 snail and see how it does? They add some variety and character to the tank. They are pretty voracious eaters, so don't overdo it. Only get as many as the algae will support, or you'll be buying algae sheets to feed them...

09/06/2013, 07:15 PM	#6
ska d Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: toronto Posts: 508	If you got algae, you got nitrates and phosphates. A cuc will do nothing to change that. The crew may clean up the glass but that algae will just keep coming back.

09/06/2013, 07:19 PM	#7
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	Assuming your source water is on the level, manual labor goes a long way... (husbandry) Having the least amount of janitors in your tank is really what you want to strive for IMO. GL.