How well do CUC clean?

[ILikeFish!]

I feed heavily and have a large bioload, so my tank constantly has different kinds of algae problems. I’m thinking about getting a clean up crew to help control it, but I’ve seen mixed reviews on whether they actually make a difference. I was also wondering what types of snails and hermits are best if they do help.

 

[AlexandraDreadlocksPanda]

I feed heavily and have a large bioload, so my tank constantly has different kinds of algae problems. I’m thinking about getting a clean up crew to help control it, but I’ve seen mixed reviews on whether they actually make a difference. I was also wondering what types of snails and hermits are best if they do help.

As many different grazer snails as you can find! I have Astreas, Turbo’s, Mexican Turbo’s, Money Cowries. Pincushion urchins good too, as is a Sea Hare (they’ll eat anything algal! I’ve had mine now for 15 months and it’s invaluable.)
Calcinus laevimanus Hermits are superb, model citizens and very diligent workers!

 

[Waters]

CUC are good at maintaining but as far as flipping a switch and having your tank cleaned in a week of algae, no. I personally have never had a CUC make any huge difference other than maybe a sea hare or urchins. Once algae gets out of control, snails normally won't touch it.

 

[kevgib67]

As many different grazer snails as you can find! I have Astreas, Turbo’s, Mexican Turbo’s, Money Cowries. Pincushion urchins good too, as is a Sea Hare (they’ll eat anything algal! I’ve had mine now for 15 months and it’s invaluable.)
Calcinus laevimanus Hermits are superb, model citizens and very diligent workers!

I agree, my son has a 55g that was covered in gha. He put a sea hair in and after 2 weeks not a sign of gha. I had some patches and and put it in my tank and after 5 days I had to return it to his tank so it wouldn’t starve. It did what my urchin, snails and hermits couldn’t do.

 

[ILikeFish!]

CUC are good at maintaining but as far as flipping a switch and having your tank cleaned in a week of algae, no. I personally have never had a CUC make any huge difference other than maybe a sea hare or urchins. Once algae gets out of control, snails normally won't touch it.

Can you feed sea hare or urchins? I have a lot of algae, but it’s not out of control, so I would be scared that it would starve after it eats everything.

 

[ILikeFish!]

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[Waters]

Can you feed sea hare or urchins? I have a lot of algae, but it’s not out of control, so I would be scared that it would starve after it eats everything.

Yes, they can be fed but you have to have access to some type of algae. I am not sure if they would eat algae sheets or not....I have never tried.