Clean up crew advice

[Islander722]

Good morning everyone!

My 15gal has been running for about 8 months now, with two clowns, goby/shrimp pair and 4 coral.

I’ve tried a few types of different clean up crew with little success, only having long term success with an Nassarius snail and a Pitho crab.

I’m getting some heavy detritus on my rock work and it’s easily brushed off, but is there a clean up member that would help cut it down? Possibly help with sponges as well?

Thank you!

 

[allof fish]

Good morning everyone!

My 15gal has been running for about 8 months now, with two clowns, goby/shrimp pair and 4 coral.

I’ve tried a few types of different clean up crew with little success, only having long term success with an Nassarius snail and a Pitho crab.

I’m getting some heavy detritus on my rock work and it’s easily brushed off, but is there a clean up member that would help cut it down? Possibly help with sponges as well?

Thank you!

Sponges are good for the system I wouldn’t try to get rid of them unless they’re harming coral. Trochus snails are universally some of the best grazers. Those and astreas I would pick

 

[Islander722]

Good morning everyone!

My 15gal has been running for about 8 months now, with two clowns, goby/shrimp pair and 4 coral.

I’ve tried a few types of different clean up crew with little success, only having long term success with an Nassarius snail and a Pitho crab.

I’m getting some heavy detritus on my rock work and it’s easily brushed off, but is there a clean up member that would help cut it down? Possibly help with sponges as well?

Thank you!

Sponges are good for the system I wouldn’t try to get rid of them unless they’re harming coral. Trochus snails are universally some of the best grazers. Those and astreas I would pick

Ok!

I have tried both Trochus and Astrea and they unfortunately didn’t last more than a few months. Is that normal?

 

[allof fish]

Ok!

I have tried both Trochus and Astrea and they unfortunately didn’t last more than a few months. Is that normal?

No that’s pretty unusual then. I have snails that I’ve had for over a year. Yes you will need to replace the cleanup crew from time to time but they should last a bit. I would check salinity for inverts first but might’ve just gotten unlucky with that batch

 

[Islander722]

Ok!

I have tried both Trochus and Astrea and they unfortunately didn’t last more than a few months. Is that normal?

No that’s pretty unusual then. I have snails that I’ve had for over a year. Yes you will need to replace the cleanup crew from time to time but they should last a bit. I would check salinity for inverts first but might’ve just gotten unlucky with that batch

I test at least twice a week since I picked up a hammer coral (more when I first got it) and salinity is 1.024

Thanks for the advice!!

 

[56longroof]

For detritus I would up the flow some to keep it from settling on the rock. Also get a few blue legged hermits.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I think I have 2 snails in my 15 and one small hermit. If you don't have algae and you keep your tank in good shape then you don't need much cuc. For detritus I would suggest it is better to arrange the flow to keep the detritus in the water so the filtration can filter it out, rather than rely on snails. I blow my rocks out every night with a turkey baster actually. A couple of nassarius and pithos is perfect for your tank if its in good shape IMO

 

[skidmarkstevie]

Check out stomatella snails. I got one as a hitchiker and it was perfect in my 15gal. If youre losing inverts may mean you need to keep an eye on alk.

May also consider a small urchin like tuxedo. They will absolutely hammer your rock work clean.