Are Cleanup Crews Necessary?

tonytran · 08/17/2007, 10:32 AM

OK I've had my tank for about 6 months now and am wondering if a cleanup crew is really necessary? If so, what is a good cleanup crew for a 90 gallon mixed reef? Anygood places to buy from online? I guess my cause for concern is that my nitrate levels have crept up to 5 with my salifert kits.

ccoral · 08/17/2007, 10:51 AM

yes and support your LFS

CharAznable · 08/17/2007, 11:17 AM

I prefer to buy from sharkysreef.com. But they also happen to be my LFS.

hyperfocal · 08/17/2007, 11:56 AM

Yes, though they won't help with nitrates.

I like trochus and nassarius snails. Hermit crabs are nice for a tank that is just starting out (will help keep green and purple algae under control) but can be a pain later on -- killing an expensive conch 'cause they want to wear it's shell as a new hat, for example.

yakfishin · 08/17/2007, 12:24 PM

For your nitrates, you would be better off growing some macro algae, that you can actually harvest to export nutrients out of the system alltogether. Cleanup crews will make your tank look nicer and cleaner, but won't get rid of any nutrients.

yakfishin · 08/17/2007, 12:26 PM

"but won't get rid of any nutrients"

Well, except for what they don't use to convert to actual body mass, but I would imagine this is probably minimal.

spoiledcats · 08/17/2007, 12:26 PM

Clean up crews are a good idea also in case a fish or snail dies and you don't know right away, or can't find it. Actually, they are just a good idea in general cause they 'clean up.'

WaterSplasher · 08/17/2007, 01:52 PM

What if you have predatory fish that might eat your clean up crew? Would it just be up to you keep the tank clean?

And just so we're clear, I'm not talking about me eating the detritus.

haha!

08/17/2007, 10:32 AM	#1
tonytran Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 50	Are Cleanup Crews Necessary? OK I've had my tank for about 6 months now and am wondering if a cleanup crew is really necessary? If so, what is a good cleanup crew for a 90 gallon mixed reef? Anygood places to buy from online? I guess my cause for concern is that my nitrate levels have crept up to 5 with my salifert kits. __________________ 90 gallon sps & softie reef, 250 watt 20k Radium MH, 4-75 watt VHO actinic, reef devil skimmer, 60lb LR, 3 maxijet 1200's

08/17/2007, 11:17 AM	#3
CharAznable Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Gurnee, IL Posts: 174	I prefer to buy from sharkysreef.com. But they also happen to be my LFS. __________________ There is no theory of evolution. Only a list of animals that Chuck Norris has allowed to live. Current Tank Info: 100 Gallon Reef tank

08/17/2007, 11:56 AM	#4
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	Yes, though they won't help with nitrates. I like trochus and nassarius snails. Hermit crabs are nice for a tank that is just starting out (will help keep green and purple algae under control) but can be a pain later on -- killing an expensive conch 'cause they want to wear it's shell as a new hat, for example. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

08/17/2007, 12:26 PM	#7
spoiledcats Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 622	Clean up crews are a good idea also in case a fish or snail dies and you don't know right away, or can't find it. Actually, they are just a good idea in general cause they 'clean up.' __________________ Robin

08/17/2007, 10:51 AM	#2
ccoral Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 468	yes and support your LFS

08/17/2007, 12:24 PM	#5
yakfishin Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 696	For your nitrates, you would be better off growing some macro algae, that you can actually harvest to export nutrients out of the system alltogether. Cleanup crews will make your tank look nicer and cleaner, but won't get rid of any nutrients.

08/17/2007, 01:52 PM	#8
WaterSplasher Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 26	What if you have predatory fish that might eat your clean up crew? Would it just be up to you keep the tank clean? And just so we're clear, I'm not talking about me eating the detritus. haha!