Clean up crew

[Walkmann]

I'm running a 90 gallon reef with a quad t5 light. Recently I upgraded my lights so I've got an ati blue plus, coral plus and a generic actinic. Planning on putting a second blue plus as my fourth bulb.

My question is, what is the best clean up crew for this size tank? My algae has exploded and the 2 emerald green crabs, 2 nessarius snails, 1 turbo snail and sand sifting star are not keeping up with it. Any suggestions?

 

[reeferfoxx]

I'm running a 90 gallon reef with a quad t5 light. Recently I upgraded my lights so I've got an ati blue plus, coral plus and a generic actinic. Planning on putting a second blue plus as my fourth bulb.

My question is, what is the best clean up crew for this size tank? My algae has exploded and the 2 emerald green crabs, 2 nessarius snails, 1 turbo snail and sand sifting star are not keeping up with it. Any suggestions?

Welcome to R2R and congrats on the new tank! Best suggestion is 1 turbo snail per 15 gallons and 1 Astrea or Trochus Snail per 2 or 3 gallons. Maybe 4 or 5 more nassarius.

I really suggest you up the clean up crew to make things a bit easier

 

[Walkmann]

Welcome to R2R and congrats on the new tank! Best suggestion is 1 turbo snail per 15 gallons and 1 Astrea or Trochus Snail per 2 or 3 gallons. Maybe 4 or 5 more nassarius.

I really suggest you up the clean up crew to make things a bit easier

Thanks! I'll have to stop by the store tomorrow. They've got a sale running this weekend I guess!

 

[kashman100]

Take into account the size of the snails you are buying. You don't want end up with too many. You can always add more. Love the astrea they are very efficient but they cannot flip themselves over if they are upside down so you have to keep an eye on them. I would add cerith snails also for the sand bed. Also if you have fine enough sand a sea cucumber is great to add to clean the sand.

 

[Walkmann]

Take into account the size of the snails you are buying. You don't want end up with too many. You can always add more. Love the astrea they are very efficient but they cannot flip themselves over if they are upside down so you have to keep an eye on them. I would add cerith snails also for the sand bed. Also if you have fine enough sand a sea cucumber is great to add to clean the sand.

I've always been leery about getting sea cucumbers, don't they bomb a tank if they die?

 

[kashman100]

Check out Advancedaquarist.com "Sea cucumbers part 2" has alot of info. I think they have a bad reputation and the risk is very low. The benefits are great the thing is constantly cleaning the sand and leaving a trail of clean white sand. I have a tank with one for over 8 years.