Choosing Cleanup Crew Critters.

Sharvey103 · Nov 9, 2016

Wonderful writeup. I typically run about 1/3 the recommended crew for the size of my tank. Love the way you have this lined out.

Cary · Nov 10, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
Have you ever used limpets? Is so, what is your view on using them?

Lionfish Lair · Nov 10, 2016

Limpets pretty much appear in all of my tanks at some point and I'm happy to see them. They can be a bit of a pain if you have acrylic panels, because you have to be a little more careful when cleaning, yet if you keep your panels clean they will hang on the rock more than the sides.

Cary · Nov 10, 2016

Thanks Renee! Very good information.

spidercrab · Nov 10, 2016

I like mexican turbos or zebra snails. They get large enough to eat the filamentous algaes and do a good job in combo with turbo or astrae.

Daniel@R2R · Dec 6, 2016

I love this article! Super helpful info!

glb · Dec 10, 2016

Great article! I've given upon hermits and am trying to go all snail in my 12g nano. I've lost a few trocchus soon after putting them in the tank. Today went to the LFS to get some Astraea snails and they tried to sell me 10. For a 12g nano. I took 3 and probably won't go back there. Sheesh.

scoopsthedog · Dec 10, 2016

@lionfishlair would love input. 28G I've only had this tank up for 3 months so it may just be timing. I have (all small) 10 cerith, 10 tiny dwarf blue leg hermits, 10 nassarius, 6 turbo and 2 scarlet hermits. So far- only
One turbo lost, Scarelt's happily munch on sand (algae), and I've had a huge outbreak of small snails suddenly appear I think they are cerith but I don't know if they breed in a tank. Anyway so far everything is cohabiting, eating and not wrecking havoc. Maybe it's a matter of time...?

glb · Dec 10, 2016

scoopsthedog said:
@lionfishlair would love input. 28G I've only had this tank up for 3 months so it may just be timing. I have (all small) 10 cerith, 10 tiny dwarf blue leg hermits, 10 nassarius, 6 turbo and 2 scarlet hermits. So far- only
One turbo lost, Scarelt's happily munch on sand (algae), and I've had a huge outbreak of small snails suddenly appear I think they are cerith but I don't know if they breed in a tank. Anyway so far everything is cohabiting, eating and not wrecking havoc. Maybe it's a matter of time...?

You might start having issues when the hermits start outgrowing their shells. They'll go after any snail that tips over. The turbo snails can't right themselves and I've lost quite a few to hermits. Good luck!

Lionfish Lair · Dec 10, 2016

scoopsthedog said:
@lionfishlair would love input. 28G I've only had this tank up for 3 months so it may just be timing. I have (all small) 10 cerith, 10 tiny dwarf blue leg hermits, 10 nassarius, 6 turbo and 2 scarlet hermits. So far- only
One turbo lost, Scarelt's happily munch on sand (algae), and I've had a huge outbreak of small snails suddenly appear I think they are cerith but I don't know if they breed in a tank. Anyway so far everything is cohabiting, eating and not wrecking havoc. Maybe it's a matter of time...?

I wonder if they are rissoids.

scoopsthedog · Dec 11, 2016

So I managed to get one out of the tank got about 20 of these roaming around super small and dig into the sand.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 11, 2016

When I get to a PC, I'll put that up on a larger screen.

scoopsthedog · Dec 11, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
When I get to a PC, I'll put that up on a larger screen.

Sorry I can't get a better pic with my phone. I can try and use a different camera if you need more detail.

acer · Dec 11, 2016

How about green emerald
crabs?

Lionfish Lair · Dec 11, 2016

@scoopsthedog did you get any live rock from Florida?

Lionfish Lair · Dec 11, 2016

acer said:
How about green emerald
crabs?

I don't consider them much of a clean up crew, to be honest. They're omnivores, so always keep that in mind. Mine was a little thief and was constantly stealing chunks of food from the coral.

scoopsthedog · Dec 11, 2016

Lionfish Lair said:
@scoopsthedog did you get any live rock from Florida?

I got it from a LFS I don't visit anymore - high probability it was from FL.

Lionfish Lair · Dec 11, 2016

Do you tyhink it kindda looks like this guy?

kenny80 · Dec 11, 2016

Very informative! Iv had no problems as yet with my hermits taking snails and I supply them with empty shells, however, I do have trouble keeping some snails alive. I find them on their backs and so I right them but they seem very weak and fall over and die, only then do the hermits and shrimp move in. I cant remember what species they are. Are there any snails that help with red algae?

kenny80 · Dec 11, 2016

kenny80 said:
Very informative! Iv had no problems as yet with my hermits taking snails and I supply them with empty shells, however, I do have trouble keeping some snails alive. I find them on their backs and so I right them but they seem very weak and fall over and die, only then do the hermits and shrimp move in. I cant remember what species they are. Are there any snails that help with red algae?