Choosing a Clean Up Crew - Advice needed

RGA · 05/29/2015, 03:00 PM

Hello,

Looking for some advice in what clean up crew to now add to my tank.

New to Marine, with little experience.

I have a 400 litre tank, plus 100litre sump.

A DSB with plenum, approx 30kg LR.

Tank has been cycling approx 1month and is now reading nil for Nitrates.

Also, running phosban reactor.

Eventually, looking to keep a few fish along with corals.

What snails etc, should I introduce ?

I was thinking about Trochus and Nassarius ? But also, need to know, if I need to add any food etc.

Maybe Astrea or Cerith's.

Hope this hasn't been a lame post/question.

Thanks everyone in advance.

whosurcaddie · 05/29/2015, 03:06 PM

Not lame at all ask away.

I would go with Trochus and Ceriths. They are my two favorites. I would go with about 15 trochus and 30 ceriths to start. You might need to add more later on. Scarlet reef hermits are good as well because they do not attack your snails, but you will only need a couple.

What is your ammonia reading? 4 weeks seems awfully short to be fully cycled.

Edit: didn't see the DSB I would add some Babylons instead of Nassarius. Babylons are larger and I would only get two to start.

Another great addition to DSB is a fighting conch.

SeargentSlice · 05/29/2015, 03:11 PM

Banded Trochus are the best option IMO they eat a variety of algae. I have some close to golf ball size I have not had to replace any snails for over a year. Nasarius are predatory I would use brittle star for sifting sand.

RGA · 05/29/2015, 03:12 PM

It's probably been more like 6 weeks.

Ammonia nil, nitrites and nitrates spiked, then did a 20% water change last week, nitrite and nitrates finally tested nil today.

That reminds me, should I keep adding a bit of ammonia until I decide to add fish. To feed the good bacteria ?

Thanks for the reply

whosurcaddie · 05/29/2015, 03:15 PM

You can just feed your tank a little. If you only have a small amount of algae go slow with your clean up crew. You can starve them out if you add too many to a new tank. Your snails will add to the ammonia once you get them, so feeding wont be necessary at that point, unless there isn't enough plant matter to sustain them.

whosurcaddie · 05/29/2015, 03:18 PM

Also if you get the Babylon snails they eat meat along with detritus so you may need to feed them a very small amount until you get fish in the tank. At that point they will just eat the leftovers.

RGA · 05/29/2015, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

You can just feed your tank a little. If you only have a small amount of algae go slow with your clean up crew. You can starve them out if you add too many to a new tank. Your snails will add to the ammonia once you get them, so feeding wont be necessary at that point, unless there isn't enough plant matter to sustain them.

Thats good advice

Thought I should ask the question on a new post, but before I saw your reply.

Don't know how to delete the other post...doh!

Thanks

05/29/2015, 03:00 PM	#1
RGA Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Preston, UK Posts: 23	Choosing a Clean Up Crew - Advice needed Hello, Looking for some advice in what clean up crew to now add to my tank. New to Marine, with little experience. I have a 400 litre tank, plus 100litre sump. A DSB with plenum, approx 30kg LR. Tank has been cycling approx 1month and is now reading nil for Nitrates. Also, running phosban reactor. Eventually, looking to keep a few fish along with corals. What snails etc, should I introduce ? I was thinking about Trochus and Nassarius ? But also, need to know, if I need to add any food etc. Maybe Astrea or Cerith's. Hope this hasn't been a lame post/question. Thanks everyone in advance.

05/29/2015, 03:06 PM	#2
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	Not lame at all ask away. I would go with Trochus and Ceriths. They are my two favorites. I would go with about 15 trochus and 30 ceriths to start. You might need to add more later on. Scarlet reef hermits are good as well because they do not attack your snails, but you will only need a couple. What is your ammonia reading? 4 weeks seems awfully short to be fully cycled. Edit: didn't see the DSB I would add some Babylons instead of Nassarius. Babylons are larger and I would only get two to start. Another great addition to DSB is a fighting conch. Last edited by whosurcaddie; 05/29/2015 at 03:11 PM.

05/29/2015, 03:11 PM	#3
SeargentSlice Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Weathersfield, OHIO Posts: 219	Banded Trochus are the best option IMO they eat a variety of algae. I have some close to golf ball size I have not had to replace any snails for over a year. Nasarius are predatory I would use brittle star for sifting sand. __________________ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Current Tank Info: 150XH SPS, Alpha 170, Lumenbright, 250 Radium / ATI Blue Plus

05/29/2015, 03:12 PM	#4
RGA Registered Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: Preston, UK Posts: 23	It's probably been more like 6 weeks. Ammonia nil, nitrites and nitrates spiked, then did a 20% water change last week, nitrite and nitrates finally tested nil today. That reminds me, should I keep adding a bit of ammonia until I decide to add fish. To feed the good bacteria ? Thanks for the reply

05/29/2015, 03:15 PM	#5
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	You can just feed your tank a little. If you only have a small amount of algae go slow with your clean up crew. You can starve them out if you add too many to a new tank. Your snails will add to the ammonia once you get them, so feeding wont be necessary at that point, unless there isn't enough plant matter to sustain them.

05/29/2015, 03:18 PM	#6
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	Also if you get the Babylon snails they eat meat along with detritus so you may need to feed them a very small amount until you get fish in the tank. At that point they will just eat the leftovers.