how often should I feed my clean up crew

duperdave · 11/07/2013, 08:06 AM

I have about 50 hermit crabs and 15 snails .they did an awesome job of cleaning up my 8 week old tank.I'll just wondering how often I should feed them since there's no fish in the tank yet.yeah I realize I got way too many hermit crabs.

Reef Frog · 11/07/2013, 09:35 AM

Ideally the snails should be eating the algae, cyano etc that you should be seeing post cycle. A little feeding of pellets or meaty fish food for the hermits is probably a good idea. Start small & see what they can scarf up in about 30 minutes. This will also feed carnivorous snails if you have them.

iamarchitecture · 11/07/2013, 11:15 AM

ahhhh the life of snails and crabs.
i'd say leave your lights on for some algae to grow and they should feed off of that.

Dmorty217 · 11/07/2013, 11:25 AM

You should never have to spot feed you CUC. I have had most of my snails with me for a yr and a half and have never fed them anything

duperdave · 11/07/2013, 04:34 PM

they did an awesome job of cleaning up the tank within 3 to 4 days off all my algae...it's spotless except for the new Coraline growing.thank you for all your tips.

skene · 11/07/2013, 05:35 PM

Every once in awhile, I tie down a piece of Nori or silverside to a small piece of rubble for my CUC.

Reef Frog · 11/07/2013, 08:16 PM

Dmorty: you may actually want to feed them directly for a short time in the OP's case: New tank with no other feeding due to no fish. Especially carnivores. They can run out of food. This isn't usually an issue as the tank matures. Especially if you've overbought the CUC. Algae eaters can also go south from la k of edible algae but that's not necessarily a bad thing n

11/07/2013, 08:06 AM	#1
duperdave Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 283	how often should I feed my clean up crew I have about 50 hermit crabs and 15 snails .they did an awesome job of cleaning up my 8 week old tank.I'll just wondering how often I should feed them since there's no fish in the tank yet.yeah I realize I got way too many hermit crabs. __________________ 55 gal.dt 20gal.sump.aquaeruousa 135 protien skimmer ,hydor 725 gph return,2-hydor 600 gph , and1 tunze 6045 mechanically adjustable circulating pumps, 65 lb liverock ,2AI hydra lights ,jbj ato Sq

11/07/2013, 11:25 AM	#4
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	You should never have to spot feed you CUC. I have had most of my snails with me for a yr and a half and have never fed them anything __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

11/07/2013, 04:34 PM	#5
duperdave Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: fredericksburg, VA Posts: 283	they did an awesome job of cleaning up the tank within 3 to 4 days off all my algae...it's spotless except for the new Coraline growing.thank you for all your tips. __________________ 55 gal.dt 20gal.sump.aquaeruousa 135 protien skimmer ,hydor 725 gph return,2-hydor 600 gph , and1 tunze 6045 mechanically adjustable circulating pumps, 65 lb liverock ,2AI hydra lights ,jbj ato Sq

11/07/2013, 09:35 AM	#2
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Ideally the snails should be eating the algae, cyano etc that you should be seeing post cycle. A little feeding of pellets or meaty fish food for the hermits is probably a good idea. Start small & see what they can scarf up in about 30 minutes. This will also feed carnivorous snails if you have them.

11/07/2013, 11:15 AM	#3
iamarchitecture Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Miami Posts: 139	ahhhh the life of snails and crabs. i'd say leave your lights on for some algae to grow and they should feed off of that.

11/07/2013, 05:35 PM	#6
skene Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 104	Every once in awhile, I tie down a piece of Nori or silverside to a small piece of rubble for my CUC.

11/07/2013, 08:16 PM	#7
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	Dmorty: you may actually want to feed them directly for a short time in the OP's case: New tank with no other feeding due to no fish. Especially carnivores. They can run out of food. This isn't usually an issue as the tank matures. Especially if you've overbought the CUC. Algae eaters can also go south from la k of edible algae but that's not necessarily a bad thing n