When do I add a 'Clean Up Crew'?

[RaymondL]

I only have a pair of clowns right now in the Fluval EVO that just finished cycling - just wondering when I should consider adding a clean up crew - ie. crabs, snails, etc. I'm assuming it's way too early And what particular kinds I should be on the look out for as there's so many to choose from.

Thanks!

 

[Uncle99]

You never need crabs. Will just be a problem. They don’t clean much anyways.
Snails, sure, just a couple of Astrea to start, if you have sand then a coupl of Nassaurius snail will clean that up fast.

Great water chemistry in a mature system will clean more than any group of CUC.
Try out a few, Then see how it goes. Move them there.

 

[Cali Reef Life]

There are a lot of people that asked this question if you use the search button and type when to add CUC you can read a few threads.

In the mean time start slow and when you start seeing a little bit of green or brown algae you can get CUC. I would say pretty soon you can add a couple hermits and snails. I like to have a diverse clean up crew. The person before gave good advice but I disagree about the crabs since they have a different job. This is our opinions and at the end of the day both of us will agree with the fundamentals of a CUC just do it from a slightly different stance.

Decide what you want and only start with a couple you can always add more later. There are a bunch of sites and threads about which CUC are useful and why for your reef tank.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

I love a good cuc, for me I was fishless/ empty aquriam for 8 months.
as above messages....it's about your aquarium
For me a cuc is a privilege as I can maintain my aquriam without but these guys are great fun to watch and maintain easily

 

[Rick's Reviews]

They don't do much in terms of eating algae etc as Thier stomach is very small, same as snails, just find a middle ground on maintenance by yourself (mainly you) and let these little guys deal with leftovers
Just my opinion

 

[OfficeReefer]

I only have a pair of clowns right now in the Fluval EVO that just finished cycling - just wondering when I should consider adding a clean up crew - ie. crabs, snails, etc. I'm assuming it's way too early And what particular kinds I should be on the look out for as there's so many to choose from.

Thanks!

I would add the snails in the few weeks after introducing the fish, assuming you cycled from base rock. Honestly, snails can be added fairly early on as they perform some basic processes around the aquarium.