what are some good clean up crew

Justin parker · Oct 3, 2015

I know the basic clean up crew crabs and snails but what else could I put in my tank to help clean and maintain my aquarium?

crbise65 · Oct 3, 2015

There's always things like sand sifting starfish, horseshoe crabs, shrimp, and tons of different crabs and snails.

JedClampett · Oct 3, 2015

I like the scarlet reef crabs, and emerald crabs. My fav one is my brittle starfish, he gets any left over food off the sand

shovelhead · Oct 3, 2015

Cerith snails are my favorite. They put in work and don't harm anyone.

Pete polyp · Oct 3, 2015

I always like to have an emerald crab, peppermint shrimp and a cleaner shrimp along with the usual snails and hermits. I like a diversity with my snails and hermits so o mix it up with trochus snails, cerith snails, nassasarius snails, Mexican turbo snails, Mexican red legged hermits, blue leg hermits and scarlet hermits.

rajkovich207 · Oct 3, 2015

Never ever put a horseshoe crab in your tank, they don't belong. I've always like sea cucumbers, conch, various stars, pods. Fish can also be fantastic for algae removal or sand cleaning.

crbise65 · Oct 3, 2015

Heck yea on the cerith snails! I must have gotten some frisky ones because they keep multiplying.

inetjnky · Oct 3, 2015

Speaking of snails... When I used to have fresh water I used snails to help control algae but they multiplied like rabbits and was constantly having to thin them out. Does the same thing happen on the salty side as well?

Pete polyp · Oct 4, 2015

Morangus said:
Speaking of snails... When I used to have fresh water I used snails to help control algae but they multiplied like rabbits and was constantly having to thin them out. Does the same thing happen on the salty side as well?

Not really. Usually snails don't make it long after they hatch out in salt water.

I do have a breeding population of some really small snails though. Along with micro brittle starfish, asterina starfish and chitons.

Reab · Oct 4, 2015

rajkovich207 said:
Never ever put a horseshoe crab in your tank, they don't belong. I've always like sea cucumbers, conch, various stars, pods. Fish can also be fantastic for algae removal or sand cleaning.

Only use a horseshoe crab if you have a fish only system. I started this hobby because of a horseshoe crab and they are fun to watch, easy to keep, and are quite peaceful.