Would purchasing a "Cleaning Crew" from Dr. Fosters and Smith change the bioload?

Porkibear · 09/21/2006, 12:14 PM

I've got a cleaning crew already, but it seems that the numbers have dwindled down compared to a few months ago. A few of my snails have been eaten by hermits, and some hermits seemed to have disappeared. Out of 5 large turbo snails, I only have 2 left (they've been eaten after they end upside-down and couldn't get back onto its foot).

I'm thinking about purchasing a cleaning crew kit from Dr. Fosters and Smith, but I was wondering if this would change the water chemistry or bioload in a drastic way. It comes with almost 10-12 hermits, 20 or so ceriths, and close to 15 turbo snails. This would be for a 60 gallon tank. I would think it would alter the water chemistry/bioload quite a bit, correct? Is this a safe thing to do to introduce a cleaning crew all at once?

outy · 09/21/2006, 12:26 PM

its not going to change much if any.

its a simple matter of food going in and food going out. [they dont eat near as much as fish] not only that some of the food is detritus depending on what species.

Travis L. Stevens · 09/21/2006, 12:44 PM

It would effect your bioload only slightly. You probably won't notice it or be able to test it. As long as you are cycled completely, go for it.

LobsterOfJustice · 09/21/2006, 01:50 PM

Unless you start adding more food, your bioload is exactly the same.

If you feed 1 tsp of pellets to one fish, and then add nine more fish to the tank without increasing feeding, you have not increased your bioload at all.

Porkibear · 09/21/2006, 03:40 PM

IC...I just thought putting that many new inhabitants into an aquarium would be a bad thing. Cool...I guess I'll be purchasing a cleaning crew from them, unless someone knows of a cheaper source??? =)

RichConley · 09/21/2006, 03:45 PM

If your cleanup crew is dwindling, it usually means they arent getting enough food, so theres no need for more.

Most tanks need way less cleanup crew than people want to sell you.

fat-tony · 09/21/2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
If your cleanup crew is dwindling, it usually means they arent getting enough food, so theres no need for more.

or they are becoming food.....

I'll agree though that many are overselling cleanup crews

09/21/2006, 12:14 PM	#1
Porkibear Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 186	Would purchasing a "Cleaning Crew" from Dr. Fosters and Smith change the bioload? I've got a cleaning crew already, but it seems that the numbers have dwindled down compared to a few months ago. A few of my snails have been eaten by hermits, and some hermits seemed to have disappeared. Out of 5 large turbo snails, I only have 2 left (they've been eaten after they end upside-down and couldn't get back onto its foot). I'm thinking about purchasing a cleaning crew kit from Dr. Fosters and Smith, but I was wondering if this would change the water chemistry or bioload in a drastic way. It comes with almost 10-12 hermits, 20 or so ceriths, and close to 15 turbo snails. This would be for a 60 gallon tank. I would think it would alter the water chemistry/bioload quite a bit, correct? Is this a safe thing to do to introduce a cleaning crew all at once?

09/21/2006, 12:44 PM	#3
Travis L. Stevens Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Perry, OK Posts: 13,946	It would effect your bioload only slightly. You probably won't notice it or be able to test it. As long as you are cycled completely, go for it. __________________ Travis Stevens Current Tank Info: Restarting 28g Bowfront

09/21/2006, 01:50 PM	#4
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	Unless you start adding more food, your bioload is exactly the same. If you feed 1 tsp of pellets to one fish, and then add nine more fish to the tank without increasing feeding, you have not increased your bioload at all. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

09/21/2006, 03:45 PM	#6
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	If your cleanup crew is dwindling, it usually means they arent getting enough food, so theres no need for more. Most tanks need way less cleanup crew than people want to sell you. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

09/21/2006, 12:26 PM	#2
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	its not going to change much if any. its a simple matter of food going in and food going out. [they dont eat near as much as fish] not only that some of the food is detritus depending on what species.

09/21/2006, 03:40 PM	#5
Porkibear Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 186	IC...I just thought putting that many new inhabitants into an aquarium would be a bad thing. Cool...I guess I'll be purchasing a cleaning crew from them, unless someone knows of a cheaper source??? =)