CUC - Help!

[Jackedwyer]

So, I think I’ve made a mistake and eager to fix it... My 10 Gallon tank is 5 weeks old with my two baby clownfish being in for 1 week (as the cycle took 4 weeks). I don’t have a light on the tank but it’s near a window so gets natural sunlight and day/night cycle. However, I was advised by the local fish store to purchase some CUC during my last visit. So, I bought 1 Trochus Snail, 1 Nassarius Snail, 2 Super Small Blue Legged Hermit Crabs. However, I’ve seen multiple people say that you shouldn‘t add CUC until they have something to clean up. Now I’ll be honest, my tank doesn’t have much algae if any to be honest so I’m worried they’ll starve. I feed fairly heavy but worry this wont be enough! What should I do? Should I add to my friends mature reef tank or would they be fine?

My parameters are below for those curious...
Alk - 7
Nitrate - 5
Nitrite - 0
Ammonia - 0

Thank you!

 

[StlSalt]

The Trochus is the only herbivore you have and they like the slime algae that forms on surfaces. The Nassarius is a carnivore so it will eat meaty leftovers, same for the Hermits, they are a bit more omnivorous so they may pick at any plant or meat they find. I wouldn't worry about such a small clean-up crew they shoud be fine if you feed heavy. What do you feed and how often?

 

[Cell]

No worries.

 

[Jackedwyer]

The Trochus is the only herbivore you have and they like the slime algae that forms on surfaces. The Nassarius is a carnivore so it will eat meaty leftovers, same for the Hermits, they are a bit more omnivorous so they may pick at any plant or meat they find. I wouldn't worry about such a small clean-up crew they shoud be fine if you feed heavy. What do you feed and how often?

A mixture really! I feed Lobster Eggs, Mysis, Artemia, and Copepods. The tank receives 1/3 a cube a day which causes a slight snow globe but my refugium keeps my nutrients low so I figured it’ll be okay

 

[StlSalt]

A mixture really! I feed Lobster Eggs, Mysis, Artemia, and Copepods. The tank receives 1/3 a cube a day which causes a slight snow globe but my refugium keeps my nutrients low so I figured it’ll be okay

They'll be fine then plenty of food in the tank for them to clean up.

 

[ScootScoot]

Hey ! I’m fairly new to saltwater personally, so I’m not sure if I can help much but I went through this same problem , I added a CUC a bit earlier than I should have , and as time went on after feeding nothing but live rock in the tank it eventually built up and fed the other inhabitants, these CUC members you described are very hardy creatures , I think they will be ok , the sunlight may cause too much problems with algae normally when you have a light due to the full spectrum of colors it is providing to the tank that promotes algae ETC but you got the right ide a! I would play it by sight and just keep a close eye ! Good luck

 

[ScubaFish802]

I also think you're good to go! It was far smarter to start off with a smaller clean up crew as you did, than to add dozens and starve a bunch of inverts to death

 

[Jackedwyer]

They'll be fine then plenty of food in the tank for them to clean up.

Phew! Thank you

Hey ! I’m fairly new to saltwater personally, so I’m not sure if I can help much but I went through this same problem , I added a CUC a bit earlier than I should have , and as time went on after feeding nothing but live rock in the tank it eventually built up and fed the other inhabitants, these CUC members you described are very hardy creatures , I think they will be ok , the sunlight may cause too much problems with algae normally when you have a light due to the full spectrum of colors it is providing to the tank that promotes algae ETC but you got the right ide a! I would play it by sight and just keep a close eye ! Good luck

Sunlight is only temporary as I’m taking things slow and plan to get a AI Prime around Christmas from the misses. I’ve been watching a few things online and been reassured that as long as the fish have day/night cycle then they’ll be fine. If the algae starts to come I suppose the CUC will be put to work haha

I also think you're good to go! It was far smarter to start off with a smaller clean up crew as you did, than to add dozens and starve a bunch of inverts to death

Thank you!

 

[ScootScoot]

I can send you some of this in a bottle over through travels of the natural sea, not sure when it will ever arrive, but ... , .01 cent a algae clump ! GREAT deal

 

[Jackedwyer]

I can send you some of this in a bottle over through travels of the natural sea, not sure when it will ever arrive, but ... , .01 cent a algae clump ! GREAT deal

Ahaha I’m okay dude :’) Does look like you might need a CUC or 3 haha

 

[ScootScoot]

You are totally right brother, idk what the heck to do with this tank lol , I had a rouge emerald crab destroying my main tank nipping at my clown, ripped my brittle starfish in half literally ( and is still alive somehow with stubs for legs ??) , and ate some of my corals while I believe he hitchhiked , that was his home and ever since he died recently the tank just sits there gathering algae I wanna do something with it but idk ‍