CUC Suggestions

hamdogg08 · 06/03/2008, 07:57 PM

I have never really looked into getting any CUC animals. Getting the equipment for setting up my tank has always been a priority...up until this point.

All I have now is 2 astrea snails.

I'd like to avoid the CUC inverts where "you wouldn't need it if you kept your parameters in check" could be said about them.

Any good sugestions? What are they and how many? (20 gallon tank, 6-ish gallon sump/refugium, 1" of sand, so no 'dsb only' inverts)

demonsp · 06/03/2008, 08:04 PM

A 1 inch SB would mean no SB critters at all and then one of your best bio filters cant work .

I would keep them to alimit at first and then add to your needs as time goes buy. A few hermits and some ceirth snails would be a good start.
Remember that CUC alone will never solve any problem.They are only a tool in total control.

hamdogg08 · 06/03/2008, 08:31 PM

Yup, I'm not looking for anything that could be considered a band aid type of an animal. I'm unclear of the necesesity of some of the CUC members. It seems that a lot of algae is because of bad water param's, so are snails something that you'd even need in your tank if your phosphates and nitrates are low, and you ca alk and mag are adequate?

demonsp · 06/03/2008, 08:37 PM

Snails and crabs would help. Just add them in balance with fish and coral. Add a few CUC then add a fish or coral then add a few more cuc and then a fish or coral. They help reduce the sources of algea along with flow and water changes and LR placement and powerhead placment. Its many things working together.

06/03/2008, 07:57 PM	#1
hamdogg08 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 117	CUC Suggestions I have never really looked into getting any CUC animals. Getting the equipment for setting up my tank has always been a priority...up until this point. All I have now is 2 astrea snails. I'd like to avoid the CUC inverts where "you wouldn't need it if you kept your parameters in check" could be said about them. Any good sugestions? What are they and how many? (20 gallon tank, 6-ish gallon sump/refugium, 1" of sand, so no 'dsb only' inverts)

06/03/2008, 08:04 PM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	A 1 inch SB would mean no SB critters at all and then one of your best bio filters cant work . I would keep them to alimit at first and then add to your needs as time goes buy. A few hermits and some ceirth snails would be a good start. Remember that CUC alone will never solve any problem.They are only a tool in total control.

06/03/2008, 08:31 PM	#3
hamdogg08 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 117	Yup, I'm not looking for anything that could be considered a band aid type of an animal. I'm unclear of the necesesity of some of the CUC members. It seems that a lot of algae is because of bad water param's, so are snails something that you'd even need in your tank if your phosphates and nitrates are low, and you ca alk and mag are adequate?

06/03/2008, 08:37 PM	#4
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	Snails and crabs would help. Just add them in balance with fish and coral. Add a few CUC then add a fish or coral then add a few more cuc and then a fish or coral. They help reduce the sources of algea along with flow and water changes and LR placement and powerhead placment. Its many things working together.