Using CUC for taking out pests: Do you do it? Is it a good idea?

[HBtank]

The best solution IMO, particularly for algae. Some people don't realize that the difference between a tank overwhelmed with nuisance pests and a "clean" tank is the right fish and CUC. It's tough when reversing a problem, and doesn't always happen quickly, but in the long run it is the base of success to keeping things under control.

As for some pests and their CUC, there will be some loss of diversity as most are not that specific (with exceptions like Berghia), but still worth it. An example is bumblebee snails, they will target lots of sessile invertebrates, but if if they knock out an out of control Vermatid population, its worth it. For me manual methods have never worked in the long run and just burn you out. Not a fan of using in-tank chemicals/medications either.

Except shrimp. NO SHRIMP! Their effectiveness versus their pestering of coral and hindrance of direct feeding makes them not worth it IMO.

 

[Slocke]

I don't know what's keeping my nuisances under control but they are. Bubble algae and aiptasia have practically disappeared and nothing else has ever bothered me.

But then I do have a bit of everything in my CUC and some good helpful fish (and of course tidal gardens sending me some free berghia helped too).

 

[MaxM]

For sandbed algae, Tiger Conch are worth their weight in gold.

Fighting conch as well.

 

[Piscean_Introvert]

I have a peppermint. No aiptasia to test him on (and hopefully it stays that way).
My emeralds are great at keeping algaes off the rocks, especially bubble.
I had bumblebee snails, but found them to be quite ineffective.
My pistol shrimp will eat bristleworms.

I hope my pistol shrimp will find and eat the bristleworms in my tank they creep me out

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

I have tried to maintain a minimum CUC to avoid die off when the issue has passed. I use fish for some of these as well. Tangs, lawnmower blenny, and other herbivores for algae control, but I love them and their personalities also and can supplement them if no algae in tank.
mused a copper banded butterfly for aipatasia, he did a good job, but died before I could move him into a different reef to continue his work.
True peppermint shrimp for aipstasia control, but only moderate success.

 

[CRD23]

All aiptasia from my tank vanished after I introduced Peppermint shrimp. Very effective solution.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

We are talking pests so this may or may not be the right thread, but can anyone identify these white spots in my reef. Assuming an egg of some kind but wondering if good, bad or indifferent. On the back glass and on the live rock.

 

[jhuntstl]

We are talking pests so this may or may not be the right thread, but can anyone identify these white spots in my reef. Assuming an egg of some kind but wondering if good, bad or indifferent. On the back glass and on the live rock.

Nerite snail eggs.

 

[Gretch93]

I hope my pistol shrimp will find and eat the bristleworms in my tank they creep me out

Bristles creeped me out too, so someone suggested I buy an arrow crab and don't feed the tank for 3 days so that she would go after the bristles and it worked, she ate them. At first, her spider look freaked me out. I had my husband releaser her into the tank, but after a few months, I learned to appreciate just how cool she and lost my fear.

The bristles came in on some live rock. They were not scared of anything. They crawled on the rocks during the day. So happy they are gone or at least under control, as I do not see them at all.

 

[Dabcrusher]

Personally I use a balance of harmony. I'll pick out anything I can remove easily. I avoid things that breed like crazy or could harm other things than what I'm targeting if possible. Like everything in this hobby, it's a balancing act

What wrasse did you get fir your flatworms

 

[BuddyBonButt]

What wrasse did you get fir your flatworms

I never had flatworms, or a wrasse, I think you meant to respond to somebody else but for what it's worth, this is what I recommend. I've heard really good things about them

sixline or pyjama wrasse

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

Nerite snail eggs.

So do I need to clean them out to keep from overpopulating?

 

[jhuntstl]

So do I need to clean them out to keep from overpopulating?

As far as I'm aware, they will not hatch in the conditions of our reef tanks. No need to do anything.

 

[Steph72]

I’m currently using berghias to get a severe aiptasia infestation under control. It took about 3 months to see them at work but they are doing a great job of knocking it back. They are expensive but they breed easily if there are no predators in the tank. Best money I’ve ever spent!

 

[Starganderfish]

Peppermint shrimp cleared up my Aptasia problem really quick. I could watch the Aptasia disappearing day by day. After a week they were all gone.
I’m also a big believer in CUC in general. Sand sifting gobie, algae eating Blennie, healthy populations of snails for sand bed and algae control means no need to ever sift the bed and minimal to no algae growth in rock.
Just wish I could trust hermit crabs. We can really only get the yellow leg variety here in Aus and they have a tendency to feast on snails. Caught one in the act and Immediately removed it.

 

[Cichlid Dad]

So funny this question came up. I was looking for signs of new Coraline algae tonight and wow! Bubble algae! I had read this thread this morning and thought it's to early for me to contribute to the thread. My tank is a few months old and spent months studying asking questions and doing my homework. I have 30 years in fresh water and needed a challenge. It's a 60 gallon tall, 60 pounds of sand, 60 pounds of rock. I took all of the precautions. Used only Marco rock, used carib sea pink and ocean direct, turbo start and amonia to cycle tested daily until it was perfect. I use only rodi water and have done weekly water changes of 25 percent . Added fish slowly only 1 clown, two yellow tail damsels, regal damsel, spot tail blenny. Two turbos for the regular algae. All was going great. I have only purchased coral from one on line store (one of the best know recommend by all of the big name places like brs ECT... and the best local reef store) and I got bubble algae. Please advise. Not to bad yet.

 

[HankstankXXL750 Verified Sponsor]

As far as I'm aware, they will not hatch in the conditions of our reef tanks. No need to do anything.

Ok, some of the white spots are now white oval rings where the spots were. Maybe something eating them, or eggs mature and hatch, but don’t survive.

 

[ShadowMan]

I've got about 6 peppermints (Lysmata wurdemanni) at the moment, 4 in the DT and 2 in the sump, to deal with aiptasia.
Had 2 aiptasia come in on a frag - they took care of one of them but the other is too big, although the do ensure that the any offspring are dealt with quickly. Was clearly working in the DT, as I noticed quite a few little ones in my sump, so added 2 new peppermints and they've demolished the lot.

What I've learned from this experience is that they can only deal with aiptasia when it's relatively small, any bigger than a typical Duncan head, and they won't touch it.

Currently arsenal is:
Sixline Wrasse (pest control)
Peppermint Shrimps (aiptasia)
Diamond Goby (sandbed)
Snails - mix selection (algae)
Foxface Rabbitfish (algae)

 

[Jarry]

Chelmon for aiptasia, tangs + Siganus Magnifica for all kind of algae, including bubble algae and group of Halichoeres wrasses for all other things. Maintenance free tank

 

[Sharkbait19]

So funny this question came up. I was looking for signs of new Coraline algae tonight and wow! Bubble algae! I had read this thread this morning and thought it's to early for me to contribute to the thread. My tank is a few months old and spent months studying asking questions and doing my homework. I have 30 years in fresh water and needed a challenge. It's a 60 gallon tall, 60 pounds of sand, 60 pounds of rock. I took all of the precautions. Used only Marco rock, used carib sea pink and ocean direct, turbo start and amonia to cycle tested daily until it was perfect. I use only rodi water and have done weekly water changes of 25 percent . Added fish slowly only 1 clown, two yellow tail damsels, regal damsel, spot tail blenny. Two turbos for the regular algae. All was going great. I have only purchased coral from one on line store (one of the best know recommend by all of the big name places like brs ECT... and the best local reef store) and I got bubble algae. Please advise. Not to bad yet.

Emerald crabs make short work of it (once they decide to help out at least). You could do 2-3 in a 60.