CUC recommendations during fallow period

ReefGeek90 · Jan 2, 2020

Hey guys. Hope everyone had a good New Years. Need some suggestions on a cuc for my 45gal cube (display is 37gal) I am currently in a 76 day fallow period and want to take this opportunity to introduce my cuc. Ive been ghost feeding the DT. no nuisance algae of any kind. was looking at the packages from reef cleaners but I am torn between the snail only or the snail and crabs package. Also they seem kind of excessive in regards to quantity not sure if I am incorrect thinking this.

My stocking list plans are 2 clowns, purple fire fish, 2 cardinals, starry blenny, cleaner shrimp, pistol shrimp and a yellow watchman goby. Some soft corals and an anemone. I am not a heavy feeder. Sand bottom. 35lbs of rock. TIA.

fermentedhiker · Jan 2, 2020

IMO reefcleaners packs are geared for an established tank that has high nutrient inputs. For newer tanks, those lightly stocked or people running low nutrient systems a much smaller CUC is more appropriate. When I start out a new tank and if I want to order from reeflcleaners I usually do 20%(for example if I had a 100 gallon tank I'd order a 20 gallon pack) but thats just me. I prefer snail only packs. Hermits tend to kill off a lot of snails. I found scarlet hermits the least likely to do this for me. Outside of just having a variety Trochus snails are my favorites.

ReefGeek90 · Jan 2, 2020

fermentedhiker said:
IMO reefcleaners packs are geared for an established tank that has high nutrient inputs. For newer tanks, those lightly stocked or people running low nutrient systems a much smaller CUC is more appropriate. When I start out a new tank and if I want to order from reeflcleaners I usually do 20%(for example if I had a 100 gallon tank I'd order a 20 gallon pack) but thats just me. I prefer snail only packs. Hermits tend to kill off a lot of snails. I found scarlet hermits the least likely to do this for me. Outside of just having a variety Trochus snails are my favorites.

Thanks for the info. I agree with your 20% assessment. If you just go by your DT volume the packets do seem way to big for a new tank especially since I don’t plan on having a huge bio load. What are your thoughts on introducing the two shrimp along with the cuc?

fermentedhiker · Jan 2, 2020

If the system is stable they would be fine. If it's really new I would wait as they aren't as tough as snails and crabs. A note about adding things, if you get them(or anything else for that matter) from a fish system like your lfs you probably need to restart the clock on your fallow period to be safe.

ReefGeek90 · Jan 2, 2020

fermentedhiker said:
If the system is stable they would be fine. If it's really new I would wait as they aren't as tough as snails and crabs. A note about adding things, if you get them(or anything else for that matter) from a fish system like your lfs you probably need to restart the clock on your fallow period to be safe.

Yea I just started the fallow period so that’s why I want to get this done now I ordered some Dr. Tim’s ammonia to make sure my cycle is done.

Greatdane · Jan 2, 2020

ReefGeek90 said:
Yea I just started the fallow period so that’s why I want to get this done now I ordered some Dr. Tim’s ammonia to make sure my cycle is done.

Ya do not go for the turbo snail they bulldoze your coral and don’t do that week cleaning

ReefGeek90 · Jan 2, 2020

Greatdane said:
Ya do not go for the turbo snail they bulldoze your coral and don’t do that week cleaning

Got it. those dang turbo snails

ReefGeek90 · Jan 2, 2020

What do y’all think about my stocking list?

fermentedhiker · Jan 2, 2020

I don't see any issue with it.

brandon429 · Jan 2, 2020

Team

isnt it also true that any addition of hardscape (snail shells) resets the fallow period required / the time fallow begins is when the last item is added if we add interim we're circumventing vector control/basis of fallow method. I do not keep marine fish, am reading up on the method. lemme know if this is off base

if we are allowed to add hardscape items during the fallow phase and still stop on day 76 i have some questions about that

ReefGeek90 · Jan 2, 2020

brandon429 said:
Team

isnt it also true that any addition of hardscape (snail shells) resets the fallow period required / the time fallow begins is when the last item is added if we add interim we're circumventing vector control/basis of fallow method. I do not keep marine fish, am reading up on the method. lemme know if this is off base

if we are allowed to add hardscape items during the fallow phase and still stop on day 76 i have some questions about that

This is true. It adds 4-6 weeks from what I’ve been reading. This is why I want to do it now because I am just now at the beginning of going fallow so it makes no difference to me.

brandon429 · Jan 2, 2020

thank you for clarification! i try and relay this info on threads. you can bet when I own a reef large enough for a fish to turn around in/ill be fallowing.

ReefGeek90 · Jan 2, 2020

brandon429 said:
thank you for clarification! i try and relay this info on threads. you can bet when I own a reef large enough for a fish to turn around in/ill be fallowing.

Brandon! Good to hear from you. Your responses to my cycling thread got me reading about going fallow. And I have decided this is the best course of action. I will add my cuc soon. Get my QT setup and get my fish in there during my fallow period for observation and possible treatment. No more dump and pray. I’m changing my ways.