Adding Cleanup Crew This Weekend - Need Advice

dannable · 10/17/2006, 07:54 AM

I am planning on Adding 2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimps and about 10-20 Snails for a cleanup crew.

As I have no fish and no algae (on the glass) just the coraline algae on my live rock what should I feed these inhabitants. What would be a good food to pick up that won't increase phosphates in my system?

What is the recommended way to acclimate the snails and shrimp?

35Gallon FOWLR (Started Sept. 1 2006)

Fish\Cleanup Crew - None, Still cycling
Live Rock - 30lbs
Coralife Super Skimmer 65
RenaXP1 Canister Filter (carbon & Micro Filtration Pad)
Power Sweep 212 Self-rotating Powerhead
50Watt Heater

MyCatsDrool · 10/17/2006, 07:59 AM

I would get some kind of phytoplankton (PhycoPure, DTs) and maybe marine snow and some kind of zoo plankton (frozen cyclop-eeze perhaps)

Acclimate like you would fish.

dannable · 10/17/2006, 08:08 AM

Thanks. I have read several articles about acclimating fish and inverts but I wanted to here it from the experts. Any opinions appreciated.

I am thinking of leaving the bag in the aquarium with the lights out for about 20 min and then cutting open (without popping) the bag at the top so it is floating in the water. Then I am going to add a little bit of water from the aquarium to the bag over a couple of hours and then gently place them in the tank. Is that an acceptable method??

Everytime I read something on line it is missing details that I find out later on this site so I am turning to the pro's.

Shooter7 · 10/17/2006, 08:42 AM

The cleaner shrimp aren't really a big need at this point with no fish in there for them to clean, but they could be added as long as you feed them a little. Snails will be fine. They will find what they need on the glass, substrate, and rocks. Just because you can't easily see algae, doesn't mean it's not there. They'll feed on the film of stuff on everything. Personally, I wouldn't start dumping all kinds of stuff in the tank right now. Let it continue to mature and stabilize. Put your snails and shrimp in there and monitor. Hopefully, you're going to use a QT for your fish...you could be setting that up and getting it stabilized during this time.

BlueCoast · 10/17/2006, 09:28 AM

i think that is a pretty large batch to start with since you have very low bio-load right now. Without supplemental feeding a good chance some will starve.

I'm a big fan of going slow, change 1 thing at a time and let it stabilize. Too many fish at once, bigger lights, all can cause blooms to pop up if the bacteria are not present to handle the addtional load.

I like your acclimation method, shrimp are sensitive and need some extra time, the only comment i would make is not putting LFS water in your tank. I roll the bag back on itself to create a nice ring at the top that helps float it nicely. All these critters will be fine with an out of water transfer.

dannable · 10/17/2006, 01:00 PM

Thanks. I think i will go with one shrimp and about 5 or 6 snails.

So i can scoop the shrimp out with a net if I am careful?? Should I do a small water change a day or two before adding them?

I am adding them first and in a few weeks I am going to add a clownfish and a goby (a week apart).

10/17/2006, 07:54 AM	#1
dannable Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Guelph Ontario, Canada Posts: 430	Adding Cleanup Crew This Weekend - Need Advice I am planning on Adding 2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimps and about 10-20 Snails for a cleanup crew. As I have no fish and no algae (on the glass) just the coraline algae on my live rock what should I feed these inhabitants. What would be a good food to pick up that won't increase phosphates in my system? What is the recommended way to acclimate the snails and shrimp? 35Gallon FOWLR (Started Sept. 1 2006) Fish\Cleanup Crew - None, Still cycling Live Rock - 30lbs Coralife Super Skimmer 65 RenaXP1 Canister Filter (carbon & Micro Filtration Pad) Power Sweep 212 Self-rotating Powerhead 50Watt Heater

10/17/2006, 07:59 AM	#2
MyCatsDrool Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Under the Sea Posts: 377	I would get some kind of phytoplankton (PhycoPure, DTs) and maybe marine snow and some kind of zoo plankton (frozen cyclop-eeze perhaps) Acclimate like you would fish. __________________ I Skim Naked. Recovering Alcoholic/Addict. Humble, but proud of it. Current Tank Info: 10gal nano. 55 gal FW planted. 5 gal FW planted. 125 FW tanganyikan cichlids. 2 gal FW planted

10/17/2006, 08:42 AM	#4
Shooter7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Tolono, IL Posts: 6,754	The cleaner shrimp aren't really a big need at this point with no fish in there for them to clean, but they could be added as long as you feed them a little. Snails will be fine. They will find what they need on the glass, substrate, and rocks. Just because you can't easily see algae, doesn't mean it's not there. They'll feed on the film of stuff on everything. Personally, I wouldn't start dumping all kinds of stuff in the tank right now. Let it continue to mature and stabilize. Put your snails and shrimp in there and monitor. Hopefully, you're going to use a QT for your fish...you could be setting that up and getting it stabilized during this time. __________________ Dave Current Tank Info: 10 years salty - standard 29g reef - moved from 120 gal reef, 2x250w Reeflux 10k's on ARO electronics and VHO super actinics on Icecap ballast, 2xTunze 6060, MSX 200 skimmer, GEO 612 Ca reactor, mag 12 return

10/17/2006, 08:08 AM	#3
dannable Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Guelph Ontario, Canada Posts: 430	Thanks. I have read several articles about acclimating fish and inverts but I wanted to here it from the experts. Any opinions appreciated. I am thinking of leaving the bag in the aquarium with the lights out for about 20 min and then cutting open (without popping) the bag at the top so it is floating in the water. Then I am going to add a little bit of water from the aquarium to the bag over a couple of hours and then gently place them in the tank. Is that an acceptable method?? Everytime I read something on line it is missing details that I find out later on this site so I am turning to the pro's.

10/17/2006, 09:28 AM	#5
BlueCoast Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: St. Pete (FL) Posts: 982	i think that is a pretty large batch to start with since you have very low bio-load right now. Without supplemental feeding a good chance some will starve. I'm a big fan of going slow, change 1 thing at a time and let it stabilize. Too many fish at once, bigger lights, all can cause blooms to pop up if the bacteria are not present to handle the addtional load. I like your acclimation method, shrimp are sensitive and need some extra time, the only comment i would make is not putting LFS water in your tank. I roll the bag back on itself to create a nice ring at the top that helps float it nicely. All these critters will be fine with an out of water transfer.

10/17/2006, 01:00 PM	#6
dannable Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Guelph Ontario, Canada Posts: 430	Thanks. I think i will go with one shrimp and about 5 or 6 snails. So i can scoop the shrimp out with a net if I am careful?? Should I do a small water change a day or two before adding them? I am adding them first and in a few weeks I am going to add a clownfish and a goby (a week apart).