Is a clean up crew needed?

MounteeFrag · Apr 30, 2014

Is a clean up crew really needed? Do you really need snails and crabs? If you feed properly and have the right filtration is it needed?

The reason I ask, I'm starting a new tank and I'm thinking of a stock list.

Reefing Madness · Apr 30, 2014

To a point, yes they are needed. Even the cleanest tanks are that way for a reason, they have some help. It may not be the extent that some have, but yes, they are a necessity.

howaboutme · Apr 30, 2014

Reefing Madness said:
To a point, yes they are needed. Even the cleanest tanks are that way for a reason, they have some help. It may not be the extent that some have, but yes, they are a necessity.

Snails poop too. Who's cleaning that up?

Reefing Madness · Apr 30, 2014

Thats minimal, and your skimmer, ATS, Macro Algae, WC, take care of that.

MounteeFrag · May 1, 2014

How do people keep a Harlequin Tusk?

Daniel@R2R · May 1, 2014

MounteeFrag said:
How do people keep a Harlequin Tusk?

They're not incredibly difficult to keep. Do you mean how do you keep them AND a clean up crew? I would say you have to know they are going to feed on some crustaceans (snails, shrimp, crabs), so be sure you don't buy any ornamental ones that you'll be upset over if they become a snack. You will probably have to restock your cleaning crew periodically if you have a HT, but if you keep them well fed with other foods, you don't have to worry about it too much. It's kind of like keeping a fish that nips corals in a reef...gotta keep 'em fed on fish food so they don't feed as much on coral.

howaboutme · May 1, 2014

Reefing Madness said:
Thats minimal, and your skimmer, ATS, Macro Algae, WC, take care of that.

Exactly! With good maintenance routine, no they are not needed. That said, I agree that they are good to have and a vital part of the tank. But to answer the question..no, not needed.

Reefing Madness · May 1, 2014

MounteeFrag said:
How do people keep a Harlequin Tusk?

In a FOWLR, and no CUC.

Reefing Madness · May 1, 2014

howaboutme said:
Exactly! With good maintenance routine, no they are not needed. That said, I agree that they are good to have and a vital part of the tank. But to answer the question..no, not needed.

Alage in some degree will grow, no matter how well you maintain your tank., detritus will collect no matter how little you feed the tank. The CUC, hunt this down, and attack it. I've never seen a clean tank, with SPS, that doesn't have snails of some sort in it.

reefsandrotts · May 1, 2014

In my opinion, a clean up crew is just as important as having water in your tank to me it doesn't matter if its FOWLR or reef.

howaboutme · May 1, 2014

I agree..I have a nice CUC in my tank. My point is that we are ultimately our own CUC. We shouldn't let anyone new in the hobby misinterpret that snails will do the cleaning for you hence my term "snails poop too". They only help towards the larger goal.

moulton712 · May 1, 2014

CUC get into the hard to reach locations. I bet if you lifted the rock in the cleanest tank there will be tons of of detritus. Just cause you don't see it, it's still there. Also the CUC is a tool and not the only offense for a cleaner tank. We are building mini Eco systems, your only as strong as the weakest link.

iretthepirate · May 1, 2014

If you are worried about harlequin eating them try getting cerith snails for the most part they don't come out till night so they'll stay alive longer. But always good to have some hermits at the very least