How Do I Quarantine A Clean Up Crew?

[reeftankdude]

I have a 20 gallon high tank. With the rock I added it takes 15 gallons of water to fill the tank. What kind and how many CUC members do I need. How do I quarantine them? Thanks all

 

[Jedi1199]

Not sure I have ever heard of anyone QTing clean up crew....

Personally, I just throw em in the tank

 

[Blumy]

I don’t quarantine anything at all. In it goes. Never lost a fish. Maybe a few acros but that’s part of the allure to being an SPS junkie.

 

[JNalley]

You're about to start an argument. The question of whether to quarantine or not is a hot topic. One in which I am on the "I don't quarantine" train, but I stay out of the argument for the most part.

So whether you QT them or not is up to you. I wouldn't know how to do it though.

As for size, I can help you out here maybe. I believe in a huge and diverse cleanup crew. Here's my current CUC:

15x Astrea
10x Margarita
5x Nassarius
5x Cerith
25+ Assorted Hermits (Electric Blue's, Blue legs, Scarlett's etc)
2x Brittle Starfish
1x Porcelain/Anemone Crab
1x Japanese Snapping/Pistol Shrimp
1x Emerald Crab (though currently, he's in timeout for eating some Zoas)
1x Sandsifting Starfish
2x Fuzzy Chitons
5x Limpets
Copepods
Bristleworms

And if I ever get Aptaisia, will likely add Berghia Nudibrach's. All of this is in a 32.5 Gallon (25-ish gallons to fill) tank. I broadcast feed exclusively, and I'm pretty liberal with the food, probably could be accused of overfeeding

 

[CanuckReefer]

You're about to start an argument. The question of whether to quarantine or not is a hot topic. One in which I am on the "I don't quarantine" train, but I stay out of the argument for the most part.

So whether you QT them or not is up to you. I wouldn't know how to do it though.

As for size, I can help you out here maybe. I believe in a huge and diverse cleanup crew. Here's my current CUC:

15x Astrea
10x Margarita
5x Nassarius
5x Cerith
25+ Assorted Hermits (Electric Blue's, Blue legs, Scarlett's etc)
2x Brittle Starfish
1x Porcelain/Anemone Crab
1x Japanese Snapping/Pistol Shrimp
1x Emerald Crab (though currently, he's in timeout for eating some Zoas)
1x Sandsifting Starfish
2x Fuzzy Chitons
5x Limpets
Copepods
Bristleworms

And if I ever get Aptaisia, will likely add Berghia Nudibrach's. All of this is in a 32.5 Gallon (25-ish gallons to fill) tank. I broadcast feed exclusively, and I'm pretty liberal with the food, probably could be accused of overfeeding

I was originally shocked at the size of your CUC, but seeing as you overfeeding.....well yup makes sense. I too enjoy a varied CUC. It's vitally important imo.

 

[Spare time]

Basically you set them in a tank at 81-82 degrees for 45 days with food.

 

[mehaffydr]

To quarantine a CUC you just need a quarantine tank that you can house them in that has bacteria. You are not going to medicate or use copper just a HOB or sponge filter. You will need to give them food and do water changes for ammonia control. Other than that leave then in QT for 76 days and no matter what do not add anything to the QT or your 76 days must start over.

 

[JNalley]

I was originally shocked at the size of your CUC, but seeing as you overfeeding.....well yup makes sense. I too enjoy a varied CUC. It's vitally important imo.

That's why I added that line, everyone gets shocked by its size. I also expect some to die off, it's not like I sit there and count the snails and hermits daily, I know for sure a few crabs have battled for shell supremacy, some may have died, but I still see tons of them roaming around daily/nightly and I'm sure they're well-fed. A CUC this size wouldn't work unless you overfeed, for sure.

 

[mehaffydr]

To quarantine a CUC you just need a quarantine tank that you can house them in that has bacteria. You are not going to medicate or use copper just a HOB or sponge filter. You will need to give them food and do water changes for ammonia control. Other than that leave then in QT for 76 days and no matter what do not add anything to the QT or your 76 days must start over.

I did say 76 days but as spare time stated if you maintain 81 deg you can cut down to 45 days.

 

[CanuckReefer]

Basically you set them in a tank at 81-82 degrees for 45 days with food.

Agree at the higher temperature. My tank runs at 81-82 constant anyway. I don't QT them.... salinity is also IMO the #1 factor for success or fail on addition. It's a REAL SLOW drip here when we add....

 

[Spare time]

I will say that QT-ing them is not just for disease, but for algae and other hitchikers than comes on their shells.

 

[davidcalgary29]

I will say that QT-ing them is not just for disease, but for algae and other hitchikers than comes on their shells.

So true! I've had aiptasia ride in on macroalgae a number of times.

I really don't buy many inverts that aren't urchins anymore, but I put the odd new snail or cowrie into a jar build for a month and a half before they go into one of my displays.