Clean Up Crew Loading

[justclowninaround]

Hi all,

Had a quick question about mix and amount of clean up crew. I am really struggling keeping algae off glass of 40 gal breeder and having to use magnetic cleaner at least once a day. No other algae troubles in the tank. Currently running a 20 gal long sump with big mass of chaeto with about 8 large turbo snails and 6 emerald crabs per recommendation of LFS. Should I up my snails and what type?

 

[New&no clue]

I would do Cerith, they are always on my glass. Have you checked out reefcleaners.org they list all the CUC members and what they will do.

 

[Miller535]

For me, when Snails can't keep up, my go to is ALWAYS a pincushion Urchin. They will out work a bunch of snails any day, and they with outlive the snails 10 to 1

 

[justclowninaround]

Thanks for the input!

 

[AZMSGT]

Say no to any crabs, hermit or emerald.. they will go rouge and kill or eat things you don’t want to loose. Pincushion urchins grow LARGE And tend to carry around snails or anything loose. If they pick up a snail remove it from the urchin or it will die.

 

[New&no clue]

I agree with @Miller535 I have an urchin in each of my tanks and they are amazing at cleaning. The one thing to watch for is that they don't starve, I supplement with Nori occasionally.