Reef Aquarium Fact #247 Cleanup crews are a vital part to help reduce algae and unwanted sediments a

[revhtree]

We are going to continue discussing the reef aquarium facts submitted by our members. Do you agree or disagree? What are your thoughts?

Fact #247

Cleanup crews are a vital part to help reduce algae and unwanted sediments as well as keeping sand and glass cleaner. This crew may consist of many different types of snails and crabs.


Truth or False? What else might we need to learn on this subject? Please also share any pictures that may pertain to the subject.

 

[ChoxRox]

Someone take these stupid crabs out of my tank... =(

 

[Mike171]

I love the hermits... They may kill some snails but I enjoy watching them scamper around.

 

[Nemoose]

I have a mix of hermits and snails, Nassarius, cerith and turbo. I had some margaritas but they seem to be so short lived in tropical temperatures.

 

[ChoxRox]

I love the hermits... They may kill some snails but I enjoy watching them scamper around.

I like them until they make all my corals sad from their constant shell dragging...

 

[SeymourDuncan]

SNAILS: Nassarius & giants. Turbos. Astrea. Various conchs (tank size pertaining)
CRABS: Blue legged, scarlet, and some yellow striped hermits. Emerald crabs.
SHRIMP: Peppermints
STARS: Brittle, serpent, and little white guys...Pencil urchins since they are related
Tons of pods also help my reefs.

FISH i like to have a few mollies in my frag tanks and sometime the display...they eat everything IME...also any algae eating fish, helps keep it trimmed for the smaller inverts.

Myself, since the snails dont get the glass in a very even manner lol

if you like hermits but dont want your snails ***** of their shells, than toss in a ton of empty ones, mother nature always picks the easier routes. killing is only necessary to survive, not to live. Generally, not saying a mantis shrimp wont try to kill everyone...but the normal inverts that usually has applied to me in the past.

 

[ChoxRox]

I have like 30+ empty shells... D=

 

[revhtree]

I have like 30+ empty shells... D=

HAHA that sounds like my crew!

 

[swayd]

Yeah this is very true. Sadly I do not have a suitable cuc in my 46 bow front and I have seen more algae than I ever have in any of my aquariums. So with that said, I just ordered a clean up crew from reef cleaners so I know I'm going to get exactly what I need if not more!

 

[billwill]

True. However, I've started to remove hermits because they do seem to kill without taking the new shell in my tank. Nassarius, cerrith, turbo snails, sand sifting starfish, and my abalone. Sea hares are great when you have to much algae, but they clean fast and die off. My abalone does the same job, but I've had him over a year!

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

 

[swayd]

True hermits can be a pain in the butt, that's why I only keep 2-3 and plenty of larger shells around.

 

[Reef Fever]

If you keep a shell garden hidden away somewhere the hermits leave the snails alone

 

[Dashiki]

My cuc was hermits and snails. It seems all my hermits do is cleanup the snails.

 

[logansreef]

if their is not not enough food for the hermits to get they will go after the snails. I have a large CUC and feed a little heavier than i would if i did not have them. they still do their job and keep the peace for the most part.

do i think they are vital to the susvival of my aquarium...no but all the inverts sure are cool to watch!!