Clean Up Crew

[ScottyD36]

So I was looking into a clean up crew for my tank. I have a Fluval 13.5 gallon tank. Currently I have 1 clown fish, a turbo snail and a peppermint shrimp. Eventually I will be adding a damsel and a goby but this won’t be anytime soon. I went to website to look for a cleaner crew I told them I have a turbo snail and peppermint shrimp in my tank already. They suggested I get the following for my clean up crew.
10 Dwarf Ceriths - tiny cleaners, for the tight spots the others can't reach
5 Nassarius vibex
5 Florida Ceriths
4 Assorted Hermits
3 Astraea

This seems like a lot of cleaners for my 13.5 gallon. My question is. Is this a absurd amount of cleaners for the tank or does it make sense. And if it is to many what do you suggest for cleaners. Thanks

 

[andrewey]

That seems like a bit overkill in my opinion. Even if it weren't, I wouldn't add that much bioload to a 13 all at once.

I'm a big believer in focusing on problem areas. For example, in my current tank, I only have red legged hermits, trochus, and nassarius. Each was added to perform a specific task and I was able to make sure the population was appropriate for them to survive and not slowly dwindle (or kill snails for shells). If any problems start to arise, I might consider adding more or another species that specializes in that particular area (film algae, hair algae, etc.). Throwing a lot of inverts into a tank all at once is usually a recipe for a 50% reduction in population within 6 months. I'm not a big fan of "one size fits all" cleaner packs, but to each their own!

 

[ScottyD36]

Thanks. That was kinda my thought process in the whole thing. It seemed overkill to me. That’s why I only have a shrimp and a snail so far with my clown.