Feeding clean up crew

[calhoun.22]

I have ordered an "appropriate" sized CUC from Reef Cleaners. I assume that they will dispatch the various sources of algae and some stuff in the substrate in short order. I am wondering what happens to the little critters once they have motored through the current "food source" in the tank.

I am concerned that once they take care of the current "food source" that some may starve. Is this something I should worry about and if so can I do some supplemental feeding for them to prevent starvation?

[Newsmyrna80]

Do you have fish in your tank? If not then you can feed every few days. I throw in pellets or some mysis in my QT 3-4x/wk

[calhoun.22]

Originally Posted by Newsmyrna80

Do you have fish in your tank? If not then you can feed every few days. I throw in pellets or some mysis in my QT 3-4x/wk

I have a couple of very small clown fish in the tank and a very small Royal Grama in QT.

[JWags911SC]

I used to throw in a few Cobalt brand shrimp pellets a couple times a week and the crabs went nuts going after them. It seemed like it was a contest between who would get to them first. Occasionally the Peppermint Shrimp would get to one first and cart it off to his cave.

[calhoun.22]

Originally Posted by JWags911SC

I used to throw in a few Cobalt brand shrimp pellets a couple times a week and the crabs went nuts going after them. It seemed like it was a contest between who would get to them first. Occasionally the Peppermint Shrimp would get to one first and cart it off to his cave.

What about the snails?

After seeing the comments on this thread I feel I can take care of the crabs, fact is I'll be able to see if the crabs are eating.

The snails, however, might be a little more challenging to determine. Once there is no visible algae should I worry about them getting enough to eat? My understanding is with proper water quality husbandry there will not be much algae for them to eat. So what happens to the snails then?

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by calhoun.22

What about the snails?

After seeing the comments on this thread I feel I can take care of the crabs, fact is I'll be able to see if the crabs are eating.

The snails, however, might be a little more challenging to determine. Once there is no visible algae should I worry about them getting enough to eat? My understanding is with proper water quality husbandry there will not be much algae for them to eat. So what happens to the snails then?

Their numbers will stabilize to whatever your tank needs. If your tank is super clean and many die, then you don't need that many. In other words: I would not feed them unless you are trying to breed and sell them.

[calhoun.22]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Their numbers will stabilize to whatever your tank needs. If your tank is super clean and many die, then you don't need that many. In other words: I would not feed them unless you are trying to breed and sell them.

Ok, and the resulting die off shouldn't be a concern from an ammonia stand point? If not then I guess it gives the hermits something to eat and future homes to move into

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by calhoun.22

Ok, and the resulting die off shouldn't be a concern from an ammonia stand point? If not then I guess it gives the hermits something to eat and future homes to move into

No and it would be a very slow die off / stabilization anyhow. It depends on how many critters you have in there, but there is a good chance your tank will look clean of algae and the snails still will be getting plenty to eat.

[calhoun.22]

Originally Posted by shermanator

No and it would be a very slow die off / stabilization anyhow. It depends on how many critters you have in there, but there is a good chance your tank will look clean of algae and the snails still will be getting plenty to eat.

This is very good to hear. I had a feeling this would be the case or there would be a lot more on the topic. Better safe than sorry. Thanks for the input.

[hkgar]

Originally Posted by calhoun.22

What about the snails?

After seeing the comments on this thread I feel I can take care of the crabs, fact is I'll be able to see if the crabs are eating.

The snails, however, might be a little more challenging to determine. Once there is no visible algae should I worry about them getting enough to eat? My understanding is with proper water quality husbandry there will not be much algae for them to eat. So what happens to the snails then?

Don't worry about the snails, they will soon be consumed by the snails. Although many try it, me included - because they sell CUC in packages - crabs will always take care of your snails. I am now a believer of one or the other, so I am concentrating on getting all my crabs into the sump with some old shells. It becomes obvious if you stop and think for a moment that they get their new home by snuffing a snail.

[m0nkie]

Originally Posted by calhoun.22

What about the snails?

I feed my CUC twice a week with a cube of frozen food. I have no fish yet. Just shrimp and snails.

I toss in a sinking algae wafer weekly for the snails. I have almost no visible algae in the tank.

snails go nuts over them.. I see a massive orgy of snails around the wafer

[calhoun.22]

Originally Posted by m0nkie

I feed my CUC twice a week with a cube of frozen food. I have no fish yet. Just shrimp and snails.

I toss in a sinking algae wafer weekly for the snails. I have almost no visible algae in the tank.

snails go nuts over them.. I see a massive orgy of snails around the wafer

This is what I was hoping to discover. I'll order some of this to keep them happy, thanks!

[cloak]

I wouldn't feed the CUC either. If they start dying off due to starvation, so be it... Not having any algae growth for the snails to graze on, or having any leftover food lying around for the crabs is actually a good thing.
IMO, being able to keep a happy healthy reef tank with the LEAST amount of janitors is really what you want.

[calhoun.22]

Originally Posted by cloak

I wouldn't feed the CUC either. If they start dying off due to starvation, so be it... Not having any algae growth for the snails to graze on, or having any leftover food lying around for the crabs is actually a good thing.
IMO, being able to keep a happy healthy reef tank with the LEAST amount of janitors is really what you want.

^^This makes sense ^^

I guess the idea of having the CUC there in full force for some unforeseen event where they would come in handy is what I am trying to place a value on. In my location I can't just run down to my LFS and pick up a few snails or crabs, I have to order online which adds costs and sometimes even time off work to meet the delivery.

I like the idea of letting the tank/CUC relationship work out the issue on its own. But I would hate to have an problem come up that a CUC would solve and have to order new ones.

Hmmm... I am leaning towards not feeding the CUC. I'll need to ponder this one.

Thank you for giving input.

[Mcgeezer]

My clean up crew eats algae and of course whatever leftover food there is. Think of adding an extra little pinch of food to supplement any needs they have