Cleaning crews to avoid

\Clownfish/ · 02/10/2015, 01:24 AM

Just wondering if there are any cleaners one should avoid if planning to add corals later on? I am wanting to purchase from reefcleaners

tkeracer619 · 02/10/2015, 01:34 AM

Margarita snails are not for reef tanks.

The nassarious on ebay will give you parasites and are not for reef tanks.

reefcleaners has imo recommends ridiculous clean up crew stocking levels. If you buy a package I would buy one for a tank a 3rd the size of what you have.

I have about 10 mexican turbos, about 10 trocus, and maybe 6 nassarius total in my 360 and 90.

Nutrient export and regular husbandry is better than overstocking snails. I lost 1 turbo in the last year. The rest of the snails have grown at least 30% in body mass. They have plenty to eat.

jrr98002 · 02/10/2015, 01:34 AM

I've heard some people mention crabs (especially emerald) can sometimes nip at corals, but AFAIK I think you're safe with pretty much any snail. Sifting starfish should be fine too. I've just read a couple threads that say generally to be wary of crabs in reefs.

tkeracer619 · 02/10/2015, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrr98002

I've just read a couple threads that say generally to be wary of crabs in reefs.

Tuxedo urchins and cleaner shrimp are cool.

jrr98002 · 02/10/2015, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Margarita snails are not for reef tanks.

It's not so much that these aren't reef safe as it is that they don't do well in the temp ranges of reef aquariums so they tend to die, and are a waste of money.

jrr98002 · 02/10/2015, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Tuxedo urchins and cleaner shrimp are cool.

+1 on the cleaner shrimp...almost a necessity IMO and those urchins really are cool.

tkeracer619 · 02/10/2015, 01:47 AM

Correct, they are from a temperate zone not tropical. They eat a lot of algae but die and pollute the tank in short order.

jrr98002 · 02/10/2015, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

Correct, they are from a temperate zone not tropical. They eat a lot of algae but die and pollute the tank in short order.

Yeah...not to mention they knock over lots of corals LOL. Ok, enough derailing the thread.

ecksreef · 02/10/2015, 08:10 AM

I wasted money buying from lfs. They sold margaritas which died within a day. Glad I only got a few. Seemed like half of their astrea snails would die. The ones that lived have doubled in size in 6 months. I like he astreas but they cannot upright themselves.
I just ordered from reefcleaners and should receive tomorrow. I love their prices and they seem to only carry good species for tanks. With shipping costs they are way cheaper than LFS 1-3 dollars per snail.
Recommended packages are usually way too much. Like any livestock. Add a number your comfortable with, see how they do and then after a few months decide if you want more. Add too many and there will be casualties.
Nassarius vibex are always good because they eat the ones that die. Dead ones can also donate their shells for hermits.
I personally like the smaller snails and hermits because I suspect less coral will be knocked over.

ecksreef · 02/10/2015, 08:26 AM

Look into possible bulldozers. If you have a lot of small frags or stuff placed I. The sand, urchins are know to carry away frags, conchs can bulldoze stuff on sand and knock over clams, some turbos can get huge. Some hermits can get very large. Some of my hermits learned to steal food from some corals.
Nassarius vibex are good to eat food and meaty stuff, they don't kill live stuff but will be the first one their on a dying or dead animal. Stores should be aware but make sure it's not a whelk first because they will kill. I think whelks do not bury in sand but nassarius will.
Probably don't need to buy anything that will probably hitchhike in on a frag or rock.

coffee_snob · 02/10/2015, 08:35 AM

I bought CUC package from reefcleaners.org. Everything is healthy. I could have lived with smaller cleaner package though.

ajespo85 · 02/10/2015, 08:40 AM

stay away from emerald crabs and arrow crabs. both will grab smaller fish and kill them. also, emeralds can be jerks and wreck your corals.

mygsris2slo4u · 02/10/2015, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajespo85

stay away from emerald crabs and arrow crabs. both will grab smaller fish and kill them. also, emeralds can be jerks and wreck your corals.

+1 emerald's will bulldoze anything that's not glued down.

FraggledRock · 02/10/2015, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ajespo85

stay away from emerald crabs and arrow crabs. both will grab smaller fish and kill them. also, emeralds can be jerks and wreck your corals.

mine got banished to the sump.

its still alive.

LOL

ca1ore · 02/10/2015, 09:01 AM

Agree that Reefcleaners oversized the tank packs. I typically go 1/2. Personally I avoid urchins (bulldozers), conch (cannot keep them alive) and sea hares. Haven't had any issue with emeralds or hermits.

Dexter1258 · 02/10/2015, 09:11 AM

I have a 29g Biocube. 8 dwarf hermits, 3 turbos, 1 bumblebee, 1 nerite, 1 verity snail. All serve their own purpose. All have been great in my tank so far. I have corals, 2 clowns, and a bunch of live rock. Hermit crabs are the best

Dexter1258 · 02/10/2015, 09:11 AM

What size is ur tank by the way?

zoomonster · 02/10/2015, 11:35 AM

Just a suggestion but you would probably be better suited with the pacific varieties you would find some place like liveaquaria vs. reef cleaners. RC collects tidal varieties along south west gulf coast of FL and good luck keeping them in the tank as they are acclimated to tidal pools and being in and out of the water. Personally I had a bad experience with RC (not the only one) and don't recommend.

02/10/2015, 01:24 AM	#1
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Cleaning crews to avoid Just wondering if there are any cleaners one should avoid if planning to add corals later on? I am wanting to purchase from reefcleaners __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
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02/10/2015, 01:34 AM	#2
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Margarita snails are not for reef tanks. The nassarious on ebay will give you parasites and are not for reef tanks. reefcleaners has imo recommends ridiculous clean up crew stocking levels. If you buy a package I would buy one for a tank a 3rd the size of what you have. I have about 10 mexican turbos, about 10 trocus, and maybe 6 nassarius total in my 360 and 90. Nutrient export and regular husbandry is better than overstocking snails. I lost 1 turbo in the last year. The rest of the snails have grown at least 30% in body mass. They have plenty to eat. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/10/2015, 01:47 AM	#7
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Correct, they are from a temperate zone not tropical. They eat a lot of algae but die and pollute the tank in short order. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

02/10/2015, 08:35 AM	#11
coffee_snob Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 296	I bought CUC package from reefcleaners.org. Everything is healthy. I could have lived with smaller cleaner package though. __________________ Webcam: http://myreeftank.weebly.com/

02/10/2015, 09:01 AM	#15
ca1ore Grizzled & Cynical Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Stamford, CT Posts: 17,319	Agree that Reefcleaners oversized the tank packs. I typically go 1/2. Personally I avoid urchins (bulldozers), conch (cannot keep them alive) and sea hares. Haven't had any issue with emeralds or hermits. __________________ Simon Got back into the hobby ..... planned to keep it simple ..... yeah, right ..... clearly I need a new plan! Pet peeve: anemones host clowns; clowns do not host anemones! Current Tank Info: 450 Reef; 120 refugium; 60 Frag Tank, 30 Introduction tank; multiple QTs

02/10/2015, 01:34 AM	#3
jrr98002 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Little Rock Posts: 235	I've heard some people mention crabs (especially emerald) can sometimes nip at corals, but AFAIK I think you're safe with pretty much any snail. Sifting starfish should be fine too. I've just read a couple threads that say generally to be wary of crabs in reefs.

02/10/2015, 08:10 AM	#9
ecksreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 165	I wasted money buying from lfs. They sold margaritas which died within a day. Glad I only got a few. Seemed like half of their astrea snails would die. The ones that lived have doubled in size in 6 months. I like he astreas but they cannot upright themselves. I just ordered from reefcleaners and should receive tomorrow. I love their prices and they seem to only carry good species for tanks. With shipping costs they are way cheaper than LFS 1-3 dollars per snail. Recommended packages are usually way too much. Like any livestock. Add a number your comfortable with, see how they do and then after a few months decide if you want more. Add too many and there will be casualties. Nassarius vibex are always good because they eat the ones that die. Dead ones can also donate their shells for hermits. I personally like the smaller snails and hermits because I suspect less coral will be knocked over.

02/10/2015, 08:26 AM	#10
ecksreef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 165	Look into possible bulldozers. If you have a lot of small frags or stuff placed I. The sand, urchins are know to carry away frags, conchs can bulldoze stuff on sand and knock over clams, some turbos can get huge. Some hermits can get very large. Some of my hermits learned to steal food from some corals. Nassarius vibex are good to eat food and meaty stuff, they don't kill live stuff but will be the first one their on a dying or dead animal. Stores should be aware but make sure it's not a whelk first because they will kill. I think whelks do not bury in sand but nassarius will. Probably don't need to buy anything that will probably hitchhike in on a frag or rock.

02/10/2015, 08:40 AM	#12
ajespo85 Espo Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Akron, ohio Posts: 447	stay away from emerald crabs and arrow crabs. both will grab smaller fish and kill them. also, emeralds can be jerks and wreck your corals.

02/10/2015, 09:11 AM	#16
Dexter1258 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 52	I have a 29g Biocube. 8 dwarf hermits, 3 turbos, 1 bumblebee, 1 nerite, 1 verity snail. All serve their own purpose. All have been great in my tank so far. I have corals, 2 clowns, and a bunch of live rock. Hermit crabs are the best

02/10/2015, 11:35 AM	#18
zoomonster Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 527	Just a suggestion but you would probably be better suited with the pacific varieties you would find some place like liveaquaria vs. reef cleaners. RC collects tidal varieties along south west gulf coast of FL and good luck keeping them in the tank as they are acclimated to tidal pools and being in and out of the water. Personally I had a bad experience with RC (not the only one) and don't recommend.