What's the best clean up crew?

Normal Dave · 04/15/2006, 06:29 PM

Starting a new tank (150G) and just added 200# of rock, now I need to get a clean up crew.

Anyone have recommendations on what to get and what vendor to get it from? I've had mixed luck with crabs so I was thinking of snails only - would that be a problem?

Thanks

oneil · 04/15/2006, 07:02 PM

http://www.vividaquariums.com/

JRod · 04/15/2006, 07:28 PM

Reeftopia.comReeftopia

Great stuff, excellent quality. Have ordered from them myself.

Normal Dave · 04/15/2006, 07:34 PM

Does everyone usually use a combination of snails and crabs? I've had crabs attact snails in the past - I assume to get their shells.

ZOKU · 04/15/2006, 07:57 PM

With so many debates lately about hermit crabs, I think for me personally, I'm sticking with the scarlet-leg hermit crabs and no other species. I've heard and read too many bad things about the blue legged hermits and other species that are far too predatory. *shrug*

agrusczak · 04/15/2006, 08:08 PM

I'm having great luck with a pacific cleanup crew I got from Dr. Mac. It came with Trochus snails, ceriths, zebra striped hermit crabs and red-legged hermit crabs. Cleaned up everything in my tank within a week. No aggression. And one type of snail has started laying eggs. Highly recommended...

DaveJ · 04/15/2006, 11:07 PM

I always recommend against hermits of any hue or stripe.. they can be a bit hard on your snail population. None are truly reef safe. Tell us a bit more about your system, bare bottom or deep sand or shallow sand? I find that a mix of snails, good population of worms, brittle star or two, serpent star, cukes, nassarius and conchs works well.

Normal Dave · 04/16/2006, 06:23 PM

Shallow sand bed, 150G main tank with 65G refugium. I just be the rock in yesterday so I need to get some critters ordered this week.

04/15/2006, 06:29 PM	#1
Normal Dave Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Normal Illinois Posts: 127	What's the best clean up crew? Starting a new tank (150G) and just added 200# of rock, now I need to get a clean up crew. Anyone have recommendations on what to get and what vendor to get it from? I've had mixed luck with crabs so I was thinking of snails only - would that be a problem? Thanks

04/15/2006, 07:57 PM	#5
ZOKU Resident Ninja Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oshkosh, WI Posts: 560	With so many debates lately about hermit crabs, I think for me personally, I'm sticking with the scarlet-leg hermit crabs and no other species. I've heard and read too many bad things about the blue legged hermits and other species that are far too predatory. shrug __________________ - SCOTT. Check out my homepage to see my build! Current Tank Info: 40B / Super Reef Octopus SRO2000INT / 35-gal. acrylic sump+refuge / 120W LED lighting / Water Blaster 3000 Return... IN PROGRESS!

04/15/2006, 07:02 PM	#2
oneil Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chatsworth, ca Posts: 77	http://www.vividaquariums.com/

04/15/2006, 07:28 PM	#3
JRod Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, NJ Posts: 795	Reeftopia.comReeftopia Great stuff, excellent quality. Have ordered from them myself.

04/15/2006, 07:34 PM	#4
Normal Dave Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Normal Illinois Posts: 127	Does everyone usually use a combination of snails and crabs? I've had crabs attact snails in the past - I assume to get their shells.

04/15/2006, 08:08 PM	#6
agrusczak Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Capital District New York State Posts: 85	I'm having great luck with a pacific cleanup crew I got from Dr. Mac. It came with Trochus snails, ceriths, zebra striped hermit crabs and red-legged hermit crabs. Cleaned up everything in my tank within a week. No aggression. And one type of snail has started laying eggs. Highly recommended...

04/15/2006, 11:07 PM	#7
DaveJ Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 1,140	I always recommend against hermits of any hue or stripe.. they can be a bit hard on your snail population. None are truly reef safe. Tell us a bit more about your system, bare bottom or deep sand or shallow sand? I find that a mix of snails, good population of worms, brittle star or two, serpent star, cukes, nassarius and conchs works well.

04/16/2006, 06:23 PM	#8
Normal Dave Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Normal Illinois Posts: 127	Shallow sand bed, 150G main tank with 65G refugium. I just be the rock in yesterday so I need to get some critters ordered this week.