Deciding clean up crew for a noob

[BaileyB]

I'm starting my first tank (20Gallon) and am planning everything out as far as live stock I'm going to want in my tank (taking things slow and not putting too much in at once, clean up crew first, then fish, then coral). I want a clean up crew that is eye appealing yet, can help keep the tank clean from various algeas and detritus.

The clean up crew I was planning:

• 6 Dwarf blue leg hermit crabs
• 4 Nassarius snails
• 2 Trochus snails
• 1 Emerald crab
• 1 Scarlet cleaner shrimp
• 1 tuxedo urchin

Too much for my size tank? not enough? thoughts?

I was wanting to keep nassarius snails with hermit crabs, but have found out the hermit crabs will likely kill the snails over time for food, or for their shells. What if I keep the tank well fed (while not overfeeding) and provide empty shells of different shapes and sizes for them to pick from? would that keep the crabs from killing the snails or probably not? I don't want to buy and put something in my tank thats just going to die within a year.

If not what do you guys think is a better crew nassarius snails alone or hermit crabs alone?

The nassarius snails are great at keeping the sand bed clean inside it and also turning over the surface which would make the tank more eye appealing right?

The dwarf hermits just look cool IMO and imagine they'd be fun to watch.

Also random, but what about adding a electric red scallop? I think they are totally awesome and also are filter feeders (when in reality I would have to end up supplement feeding it) would it be ok to have in the tank with these other clean up inverts? I know they are for more experienced keepers but if i feed it correctly and keep parameters right could it work?

I feel like this is a lot in one post but want to get my clean up crew right! thanks guys for the feedback.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

skip the crabs and the tank would be too new for an urchin as they like to eat algae. also very much skip the scallop. i like all the rest. maybe two more trochus.

 

[BaileyB]

skip the crabs and the tank would be too new for an urchin as they like to eat algae. also very much skip the scallop. i like all the rest. maybe two more trochus.

Could i supplement the urchin with seaweed until i establish the tank more?

 

[Super Fly]

I would skip emerald crab (some go rogue and start eating livestock when not enough algae present). Red legged scarlet reef hermit crabs are snail safe and they'll eat detritus from sand, they're fun to watch.