Choosing Cleanup Crew Critters.

[Sharvey103]

Wonderful writeup. I typically run about 1/3 the recommended crew for the size of my tank. Love the way you have this lined out.

 

[Cary]

Have you ever used limpets? Is so, what is your view on using them?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Limpets pretty much appear in all of my tanks at some point and I'm happy to see them. They can be a bit of a pain if you have acrylic panels, because you have to be a little more careful when cleaning, yet if you keep your panels clean they will hang on the rock more than the sides.

 

[Cary]

Thanks Renee! Very good information.

 

[spidercrab]

I like mexican turbos or zebra snails. They get large enough to eat the filamentous algaes and do a good job in combo with turbo or astrae.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

I love this article! Super helpful info!

 

[glb]

Great article! I've given upon hermits and am trying to go all snail in my 12g nano. I've lost a few trocchus soon after putting them in the tank. Today went to the LFS to get some Astraea snails and they tried to sell me 10. For a 12g nano. I took 3 and probably won't go back there. Sheesh.

 

[scoopsthedog]

@lionfishlair would love input. 28G I've only had this tank up for 3 months so it may just be timing. I have (all small) 10 cerith, 10 tiny dwarf blue leg hermits, 10 nassarius, 6 turbo and 2 scarlet hermits. So far- only
One turbo lost, Scarelt's happily munch on sand (algae), and I've had a huge outbreak of small snails suddenly appear I think they are cerith but I don't know if they breed in a tank. Anyway so far everything is cohabiting, eating and not wrecking havoc. Maybe it's a matter of time...?

 

[glb]

@lionfishlair would love input. 28G I've only had this tank up for 3 months so it may just be timing. I have (all small) 10 cerith, 10 tiny dwarf blue leg hermits, 10 nassarius, 6 turbo and 2 scarlet hermits. So far- only
One turbo lost, Scarelt's happily munch on sand (algae), and I've had a huge outbreak of small snails suddenly appear I think they are cerith but I don't know if they breed in a tank. Anyway so far everything is cohabiting, eating and not wrecking havoc. Maybe it's a matter of time...?

You might start having issues when the hermits start outgrowing their shells. They'll go after any snail that tips over. The turbo snails can't right themselves and I've lost quite a few to hermits. Good luck!

 

[Lionfish Lair]

@lionfishlair would love input. 28G I've only had this tank up for 3 months so it may just be timing. I have (all small) 10 cerith, 10 tiny dwarf blue leg hermits, 10 nassarius, 6 turbo and 2 scarlet hermits. So far- only
One turbo lost, Scarelt's happily munch on sand (algae), and I've had a huge outbreak of small snails suddenly appear I think they are cerith but I don't know if they breed in a tank. Anyway so far everything is cohabiting, eating and not wrecking havoc. Maybe it's a matter of time...?

I wonder if they are rissoids.

 

[scoopsthedog]

So I managed to get one out of the tank got about 20 of these roaming around super small and dig into the sand.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

When I get to a PC, I'll put that up on a larger screen.

 

[scoopsthedog]

When I get to a PC, I'll put that up on a larger screen.

Sorry I can't get a better pic with my phone. I can try and use a different camera if you need more detail.

 

[acer]

How about green emerald
crabs?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

@scoopsthedog did you get any live rock from Florida?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

How about green emerald
crabs?

I don't consider them much of a clean up crew, to be honest. They're omnivores, so always keep that in mind. Mine was a little thief and was constantly stealing chunks of food from the coral.

 

[scoopsthedog]

@scoopsthedog did you get any live rock from Florida?

I got it from a LFS I don't visit anymore - high probability it was from FL.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Do you tyhink it kindda looks like this guy?

 

[kenny80]

Very informative! Iv had no problems as yet with my hermits taking snails and I supply them with empty shells, however, I do have trouble keeping some snails alive. I find them on their backs and so I right them but they seem very weak and fall over and die, only then do the hermits and shrimp move in. I cant remember what species they are. Are there any snails that help with red algae?

 

[kenny80]

Very informative! Iv had no problems as yet with my hermits taking snails and I supply them with empty shells, however, I do have trouble keeping some snails alive. I find them on their backs and so I right them but they seem very weak and fall over and die, only then do the hermits and shrimp move in. I cant remember what species they are. Are there any snails that help with red algae?