New tank, what cleaners?

[rathos]

Hello all,

Been lurking here for a bit and finally decided to sign up. Just started a 55 gallon tank. I have about 25 pounds of live rock and roughly 40 pounds of live sand. I have a aquaclear 70 and a rena smartfilter 55 for filtration and two marineland maxi jet 900 power heads. I know the filters aren't the best but they were given to me.

My tank is almost done cycling and I am looking for a good clean up crew. Should I add the clean up crew before fish, or wait until after? The only cleaner I know for sure I want is a Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp. What else should I add? The only fish I really want to add so far are two clownfish.

Thanks in advance.

[cbm369]

I prefer snails and shrimp only in my display tank. I used to keep some various crabs/hermits, but find that often the hermits would kill the snails for food or to get a new shell. (Even though I provided numerous empty shells in the tank)

Crabs are opportunistic feeders. If given the chance, they will take a fish or whatever they can get a hold of.

I keep a few hermits in my fuge/sump, just not in the main tank.

[Michael]

I would suggest you add 6-8 snails when you are 100% sure your cycle is done and all traces of ammonia definately not measurable, as your tank matures and livestock is added you can add more inverts to help clean the rocks and sand bed, at the moment there will not be much food for them and some may starve to death if too many are added into a new tank.

Kind Regards

Michael

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by cbm369

I prefer snails and shrimp only in my display tank. I used to keep some various crabs/hermits, but find that often the hermits would kill the snails for food or to get a new shell. (Even though I provided numerous empty shells in the tank)

Crabs are opportunistic feeders. If given the chance, they will take a fish or whatever they can get a hold of.

I keep a few hermits in my fuge/sump, just not in the main tank.

I agree.