Clean up crew for 13 gallon tank?

[JayChen]

Hi everyone, I wondering what will be some good addition for my clean up crew. I have 1 hermit crab, 1 emerald crab, 1 cleaner shrimp and 2 astrea snails. I want some recommendation.

 

[juanrmattos]

Assuming you are planning to add this crew while cycling your reef, I would advise to start with 3 or 4 snails (Once the ammonia dissipates), add the hermits after when there is actually something for them to feed on and leave the emerald crab for last when hair algae is present as it will go after corals if you starve it. the cleaner shrimp is always a good addition. If you want a cool resident get an Electric Blue Hermit Crab (Is reef safe and looks awesome, NOT THE DWARFS though)

 

[BlueDamselReef]

1 or 2 trochus snails are a must and 1 or 2 nassarius snails if you have sand. They keep your sand clean. These 2 are my favorite!

 

[JayChen]

Assuming you are planning to add this crew while cycling your reef, I would advise to start with 3 or 4 snails (Once the ammonia dissipates), add the hermits after when there is actually something for them to feed on and leave the emerald crab for last when hair algae is present as it will go after corals if you starve it. the cleaner shrimp is always a good addition.

I already have my tank cycled. I wanted to add more hermit and snails but don't know how many I should have.

 

[BlueDamselReef]

Don't need that many since your tank is still fairly new there's probably not much to clean up and they might start to die off for lack of food or crabs are known to attack or kill snails/corals/fish if not enough food. So make sure to spot feed them as well.

 

[JayChen]

Oops I meant to say I have two nassarius snails, not astrea.

 

[JayChen]

Don't need that many since your tank is still fairly new there's probably not much to clean up and they might start to die off for lack of food or crabs are known to attack or kill snails/corals/fish if not enough food. So make sure to spot feed them as well.

I'm having diatom in my tank now haha

 

[juanrmattos]

I'm having diatom in my tank now haha

That is the first sign of your tank cycling, your snails will help a lot with the rock... You will see some green coming soon after the Diatoms phase.

 

[Clown Fish Harem Tank]

Don't need that many since your tank is still fairly new there's probably not much to clean up and they might start to die off for lack of food or crabs are known to attack or kill snails/corals/fish if not enough food. So make sure to spot feed them as well.

How does one 'spot feed' & type of feed if clean up crew runs out of algae ?