How many invertebrates are really needed?

[Bunnylicked]

I've seen sites online that said that ridiculous amounts of invertebrates - like one hermit per gallon and two snails per gallon - are necessary for reef tanks. This just seems like way too many to me; for a 75 gallon, that would mean that I need over 200 invertebrates!

How many invertebrates are really necessary for a 75 gallon reef? Also, what types would you recommend for a newbie?

[NanoReefWanabe]

for an established tank of that size i could easily see you having 200+ cleaning inverts...

to start i would say about 25 or so...and every week you see the load changing or the algae building up add more...

i would say it is of vital importance to have a huge variety of cleaners, as some will pick up where other leave off...

in the end i could see you having:
5 small urchins (tuxedo type)
5 or so cleaner shrimps
5 strawberry conchs
2 fighting conchs
5 mexican turbos
50 nassarius snails
30-50 astrea snails
50 or so cerith snails
25 or so margarite snails
30 or so trochus snails
you may also want some bubble bee snails, and i am sure there are other snails out there that would be very beneficial

to start i would say about 10% of each

[Brando457]

Originally Posted by NanoReefWanabe

for an established tank of that size i could easily see you having 200+ cleaning inverts...

to start i would say about 25 or so...and every week you see the load changing or the algae building up add more...

i would say it is of vital importance to have a huge variety of cleaners, as some will pick up where other leave off...

in the end i could see you having:
5 small urchins (tuxedo type)
5 or so cleaner shrimps
5 strawberry conchs
2 fighting conchs
5 mexican turbos
50 nassarius snails
30-50 astrea snails
50 or so cerith snails
25 or so margarite snails
30 or so trochus snails
you may also want some bubble bee snails, and i am sure there are other snails out there that would be very beneficial

to start i would say about 10% of each

5 cleaners really???? ***


My recommendation is to contact John @ reefcleaners, no affiliation. I have dealt with him for my past 3 tanks, my cousin has, as well as I've ran numerous group buys with them through my local club. He is a straight shooter and will steer you in the right direction.

If you go on their site it says custom clean up crew, do that one.

As far as 5 cleaners that is absolutely 100% ridiculous!

I have a 180 with probably about 40 hermits and 50 turbo snails and that is fine.

[NanoReefWanabe]

Originally Posted by Brando457

5 cleaners really???? ***


My recommendation is to contact John @ reefcleaners, no affiliation. I have dealt with him for my past 3 tanks, my cousin has, as well as I've ran numerous group buys with them through my local club. He is a straight shooter and will steer you in the right direction.

If you go on their site it says custom clean up crew, do that one.

As far as 5 cleaners that is absolutely 100% ridiculous!

I have a 180 with probably about 40 hermits and 50 turbo snails and that is fine.

i have seen people dump far more then that into a tank...these things will almost all breed too, never said he had to buy 50 nassarius snails...with the good conditions the 20 or so he does buy will multiply on their own... as will the ceriths. lots of people like to keep a harem of cleaner shrimp...never said that had to be the same species..i could see two skunk, two fire and a pepermint or two...it is not that ridiculous to think some people may like variety...
to me 50 2"+ turbos walking around knocking everything over is ridiculous too...i would sooner have smaller inconspicuous snails doing the same job discretely, adding far more diversity to my tank..to each their own i guess..i dont usually recommend hermit crabs to anyone, as they are opportunistic scavengers more then willing to kill snails for easy meals..

[Bunnylicked]

I'm a she.

So, it's alright if I just add a few cleaners when I'm starting up the tank, and then add more later on, after I add fish?

I understand that they occasionally kill snails, but will it cause any other problems if I add just a few to the tank? (Blue-legged hermits are one of my favorite invertebrates. )

[eodmike]

A girl that got licked by a bunny. I say shennanigans. LOL. Welcome.

I've been wondering about starting numbers for aquariums as well.

I know a few things. Depending on who you talk to they will tell you 1 or 2 types of cleaner or will give you an assortment.

Personally I think inverts are cool but would like assortment more than clones running my tank. Although I guess a clone wars tank would be cool. A bunch of snail troopers fighting the cloning anenomea empire as the dragonet gives yoda like sage advice? No? Hmmm.

Anyways the 10% of final crew idea is a solid one. If you add the whole crew for a brand new 75 gallon most of them will starve. Put 10% in there then add as needed.

[wdt2000]

Unless you have a reason to add grazing snails is just a waste of money imo. You will most likely get a nice starting population once you add live rock for free.

I would just add a few nassarius snails and a small army of blue leg hermits once your tank needs more help with algae and clean up.
You can get 100 small blue leg hermits from reeftopia for 28.00

[WhiteShark1]

I have like 4 hermits and 2 snails (along with a fire shrimp and 2 peppermint shrimps) in my 75 gallon. Anything more than that and my inverts seem to turn on each other or just disappear randomly.

[katarina]

I use reef cleaners.com. John is very helpful. If you send a pic showing your current algae load he will give you tips on what to buy or they have the custom cleaner crew option. Groups of cleaners for the size and shape of your tank. You need a lot more of them than you think.

[BboyGage]

How many inverts would you recommend for a 29 gallon tank? I'm about to start putting them in my tank but not sure how many I should add. Appreciate any help :-)