Cleanup crew + substrate

[Goodair]

Hello All!
-I'm getting closer and closer to starting the cycle on my new 75 gal tank. As that is on its way, I'm planning on the cleanup crew that would be compatible with the stocking: 1 lionfish, 1 foxface, 1 puffer. From what some posts/articles said: hermit crabs, urchins, and turbo snails are some options.
-If you guys/gals can list some invertebrates that have worked and ones that haven't worked. A starfish would be cool to have but not sure how they workout.
-Also I got some bags of gravel that are unopened yet so they can still be returned. From what I read, it's a better option for predator tanks but please let me know if sand is better since I have no experience with this.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I'd say hold off on the starfish. It will not do well in a new tank. Once it matures, you can add one though.

Keep in mind the puffers love a good snail or hermit treat . My porky didn't eat my CUC until it was around 4" but it all depends on the puffer.

Also, if I can recommend it, start slow with the CUC. I know it is easier to order them in bulk and that is OK if you have a QT tank you can add them too with algae to keep them going. Otherwise, if you add them to a fairly bare tank or a tank with diatoms only, they'll starve and then you'll end up adding more nutrients to the tank and making the algae stages worse.

My favorites are Trochus snails as they can flip themselves back over and nerites. I added two mexican turbos once my tank matured enough (enough food to sustain them).

 

[Goodair]

I plan on adding a few at the start, then continue to add more if they cannot keep up with the algae. I am writing down advice people give and have a section for things to keep an eye on that might come up as the tank matures.
Trochus snails are a good suggestion so far! Are there any other ones you have tried, I will be putting together a list incase my LFS has em. I know urchins arent good with corals but do plan on gettign one at the start, and then once it dies off, ill start a few corals.

 

[ihavecrabs]

Black footed trochus are the best, but I'll take any trochus to be honest.

Urchins and Turbos push over anything not glued or epoxied down lol. A real pain.

Astreas are nice since I have had them reproduce in previous tanks. Nassarius are good with eating uneaten food too.

 

[Goodair]

any advice on substrate, not sure how small snails would deal with gravel vs sand.

 

[lion king]

The substrate is really your coice, I chose what is most pleasing. The fish you are planning will not care either way. Sand looks nice, but so does bits of crushed coral. I like a mixture of something finer with something chunkier pushed along the base of the rocks.

I never mind my puffer snacking on snail or hermit, just introduce them after lights out, at least gives them a chance.