Inverts and Coral

SinkyShippy · May 13, 2019

I'm new to this. I don't plan on introducing any inverts or coral yet. But I was wondering at what point should I begin to introduce a tiger conch and maybe some cleaner shrimp and (later) coral? What specific things do both require before I begin to introduce?

Jekyl · May 13, 2019

Cleaner shrimp minimum of a month after cycle. Corals depending on type can be added as early as your first fish. Not sure on the conch. Probably like other clean up crew though

mta_morrow · May 14, 2019

Tiger conchs eat a lot and get large. 4” I believe.

I added my tiger conch at about the 8 month mark.

I feed a lot and he gets plenty to eat.

The fighting conchs are smaller and require less food, but still a lot compared to sand dwelling snails.

I have a 5’ long tank with a lot of sand. If your tank is smaller, consider a fighting conch.

You can also supplement with nori banded to a rock on the sand bed.

SinkyShippy · May 14, 2019

Jekyl said:
Cleaner shrimp minimum of a month after cycle. Corals depending on type can be added as early as your first fish. Not sure on the conch. Probably like other clean up crew though

Do you know what chemicals (and concentrations) should be added to the system?

SinkyShippy · May 14, 2019

mta_morrow said:
Tiger conchs eat a lot and get large. 4” I believe.

I added my tiger conch at about the 8 month mark.

I feed a lot and he gets plenty to eat.

The fighting conchs are smaller and require less food, but still a lot compared to sand dwelling snails.

I have a 5’ long tank with a lot of sand. If your tank is smaller, consider a fighting conch.

You can also supplement with nori banded to a rock on the sand bed.

I have a 20 gallon tank. Will either of those work?

mta_morrow · May 14, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
I have a 20 gallon tank. Will either of those work?

I personally think it’s too small for a conch.

SinkyShippy · May 14, 2019

mta_morrow said:
I personally think it’s too small for a conch.

What about nassarius snails?

SinkyShippy · May 14, 2019

mta_morrow said:
I personally think it’s too small for a conch.

What about nassarius, turbo, and cerith snails?

BestMomEver · May 14, 2019

Nassarius, nerites, ceriths, turbos.... all good cleaners.

SinkyShippy · May 14, 2019

BestMomEver said:
Nassarius, nerites, ceriths, turbos.... all good cleaners.

Okay. How many in a 20 gallon tank?

BestMomEver · May 14, 2019

Probably three of each. Just FYI... there are different types of turbo snails. Some get large. A popular turbo is the Mexican turbo but the get large and some claim the knock stuff over. Mine stay only on the glass but just be aware.

Two sites you need visit...

Reefcleaners.org (have great information on algae’s)
Ipsf.com (Indo Pacific Sea Farms)

I’ve ordered from both and the quality is top notch.

SinkyShippy · May 14, 2019

BestMomEver said:
Probably three of each. Just FYI... there are different types of turbo snails. Some get large. A popular turbo is the Mexican turbo but the get large and some claim the knock stuff over. Mine stay only on the glass but just be aware.

Two sites you need visit...

Reefcleaners.org (have great information on algae’s)
Ipsf.com (Indo Pacific Sea Farms)

I’ve ordered from both and the quality is top notch.

Do you think I could order two of these for my 20 gallon?

https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/quick-crew-10-gallon

BestMomEver · May 14, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
Do you think I could order two of these for my 20 gallon?

https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/quick-crew-10-gallon

That’s probably a great way to start.

mta_morrow · May 14, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
What about nassarius, turbo, and cerith snails?

I would recommend visiting reefcleaners.org and purchasing the appropriately size CUC, with or without hermits.

I’m not a turbo snail fan.

SinkyShippy · May 14, 2019

mta_morrow said:
I would recommend visiting reefcleaners.org and purchasing the appropriately size CUC, with or without hermits.

I’m not a turbo snail fan.

I have a 20 gallon so I was thinking two of these:

https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/quick-crew-10-gallon

Eagle_Steve · May 14, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
I have a 20 gallon so I was thinking two of these:

https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/quick-crew-10-gallon

Honestly one should work. If you have a lot of algae, maybe 2, but if not much algae they will starve and die. I say start with one and see if they keep it clean. Add more if needed.

Jekyl · May 14, 2019

My favorite snail so far is trochus. They are little bulldozers. Wouldn't add more than 1 or 2

Jekyl · May 14, 2019

Jessica Schoen said:
Do you think I could order two of these for my 20 gallon?

https://www.reefcleaners.org/aquarium-store/quick-crew-10-gallon

Only order 1 or even just get the 5 gallon size with hermits. Then add 1 or 2 trochus snails. Those packages always seem over sized to me. If paying the shipping already anyway get some pods too. They are good for algae

SinkyShippy · May 14, 2019

Jekyl said:
Only order 1 or even just get the 5 gallon size with hermits. Then add 1 or 2 trochus snails. Those packages always seem over sized to me

I've been told not to get hermits by a couple of people. I forget why. I'll get one of the 10 gallon packs and then add a trochus snail. Should I add one or two trochus?