cuc how much / how little?

[scotty b]

what is the rule of thumb on setting up a cuc?
there a general guideline of how many of what are good for the tank?
opinions on hermit crabs?

 

[Andrew_bram]

Personally i dont like crabs because they are opportunistic eater. As far as snails i like trochus because they seem to reproduce the better

 

[Munch]

Agree on both points. What sized is your tank, and what's in it? SPS, LPS, zoas, fish only?

 

[sethsolomon]

This is my personal rule I use for clean up crew:

1x emerald crab per 15g

1x tiger sand conch per 2ft x 2ft of tank

1x nassarius snail per 3 gallons

1x cerith snail per gallon

1x trochus snail per 2 gallon

1x olive snail per 10g

1x mini serpent star per 5 gallon (This rule does not apply for serpents that get bigger than 3 inches)

1x tuxedo urchin per 60g (Optional)

1x peppermint shrimp per 20g

any tank 30g or bigger needs 2 cleaner shrimp

1x sea cucumber per tank (Optional)

 

[scotty b]

it is a 35 gallon
with macro algae, a few snails,handfull of blue legged crabs, 2 red leged crabs, lettuce sea slug, dwarf seahorse, erectus seahorse, zoas, xenia, tree leather coral, mushrooms and a mandarin dragonet
may add a pipe fish or small gobie
what about turbos seth?
trying to go without crabs (most will kill/ eat my dwarf seahorse)

 

[scotty b]

serpent stars also unsafe

 

[sethsolomon]

what about turbos seth?

I am very anti turbo snail because they destroy almost all decorative macro algae cept the ones you don't want.

Emerald crabs are mostly herbivores.

 

[sethsolomon]

serpent stars also unsafe

Normal serpent stars are reef safe with caution. Mini serpent stars are reef safe.

 

[scotty b]

they are reef safe but will eat small prey I.E dwarf seahorse
my Mexican turbos dont touch any of my macro

 

[scotty b]

same as the emeralds

 

[SynDen]

Normal serpent stars are reef safe with caution. Mini serpent stars are reef safe.

+1

 

[scotty b]

I have seen a serpent grab and try and eat a dwarf seahorse before , so want to staay away from them

 

[sethsolomon]

I have seen a serpent grab and try and eat a dwarf seahorse before , so want to staay away from them

it was most likely a normal serpent

 

[SynDen]

it was most likely a normal serpent

agreed it was likely a normal serpent star, like the 10 inch one i have in my tank, but mini serpent stars wont do that as they aren't, and never get, big enough for that

 

[sethsolomon]

I dont think I have ever seen a mini brittle star get past an inch and a half arm to arm.

 

[MuralReef]

Mine are tiny too. Years ago I had red/maroon and white striped ones that were super cool now I only have white ones.

 

[Dr.DiSilicate]

This is my personal rule I use for clean up crew:

1x emerald crab per 15g

1x tiger sand conch per 2ft x 2ft of tank

1x nassarius snail per 3 gallons

1x cerith snail per gallon

1x trochus snail per 2 gallon

1x olive snail per 10g

1x mini serpent star per 5 gallon (This rule does not apply for serpents that get bigger than 3 inches)

1x tuxedo urchin per 60g (Optional)

1x peppermint shrimp per 20g

any tank 30g or bigger needs 2 cleaner shrimp

1x sea cucumber per tank (Optional)

Jesus man that's a lot of CUC.

 

[sethsolomon]

Jesus man that's a lot of CUC.

Its what I use on both my tanks.

 

[scotty b]

i think i will have to up my cuc .
what about things like fan worms on non-photosynthetic clams

 

[Justin144]

This is my personal rule I use for clean up crew:

1x emerald crab per 15g

1x tiger sand conch per 2ft x 2ft of tank

1x nassarius snail per 3 gallons

1x cerith snail per gallon

1x trochus snail per 2 gallon

1x olive snail per 10g

1x mini serpent star per 5 gallon (This rule does not apply for serpents that get bigger than 3 inches)

1x tuxedo urchin per 60g (Optional)

1x peppermint shrimp per 20g

any tank 30g or bigger needs 2 cleaner shrimp

1x sea cucumber per tank (Optional)

Seth. I have 1 cleaner in a 40cube. Should i get another? why do you say two? are they better in pairs?