When to add CUC?

[Gramma20]

I'm going to be setting up a 20 long reef tank. When should I add the CUC? After or before the fish or corals? How many should I add at a time? The clean up crew will be 2 trochus, 2 cerith, 2 astrea, 2 nassarius, 2 turbo, 2 margarita, 1 skunk shrimp, and 5 blue leg hermit crabs (please tell me if there is something wrong or if you have a suggestion to this stocking).

 

[Abhishek]

I would skip margarita ! They are better off in cool temperate waters . Am not a big fan of hermit crabs too !

I would just get 2 trochus , 2 turbos/astrea and 2 nassarius . Not more than 5-6 . They need to eat . Putting a lot of CUC without amout food will cause more issues !
I would put CUC before fish and corals but make sure you are growing some algae for them to eat and food for the nassarius.

Regards,
Abhishek

 

[Gramma20]

I was suggested to have that many snails from another member here. I will probably just buy the amount you suggested. Should I add the snails at the same time?

 

[Abhishek]

I was suggested to have that many snails from another member here. I will probably just buy the amount you suggested. Should I add the snails at the same time?

You can if your tank is all cycled . You can add the trochus and astrea earlier and wait in teh nassarius unless you start feeding the tank .

 

[Gramma20]

I haven't started setting it up yet so I will add them when the tank is cycled. Should I feed them seaweed?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I generally add upon the presence of start of algae. For food source, algae tab makes a great supplement.

 

[Gramma20]

Which brand of algae tabs is good? Are Omega One Veggie Rounds ok?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Which brand of algae tabs is good? Are Omega One Veggie Rounds ok?

Omega is good as is cobalt and tetra

 

[Gramma20]

Anything else I should feed the snails besides veggie rounds and seaweed?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Anything else I should feed the snails besides veggie rounds and seaweed?

They're scavengers. They will find other matter

 

[Gramma20]

They're scavengers. They will find other matter

They will eat uneaten fish food? Should I feed some more fish food for the snails?

 

[vetteguy53081]

They will eat uneaten fish food? Should I feed some more fish food for the snails?

No. You will foul the water with uneaten/excessive food. The snails will be ok.

 

[Gramma20]

How long should I drip acclimate them if I buy them from a lfs (less than 1 hour) and buying from online?

 

[Big G]

Which brand of algae tabs is good? Are Omega One Veggie Rounds ok?

Yes! I like these they are the best quality and actually sink unlike some other brands. I use them in both my freshwater tanks and saltwater.

 

[vetteguy53081]

How long should I drip acclimate them if I buy them from a lfs (less than 1 hour) and buying from online?

minimum 1 hour

 

[Gramma20]

minimum 1 hour

For lfs too? The store I will probably buy from is 15 minutes from my house. What about ammonia in the bag from online?

 

[vetteguy53081]

Yes- Acclimate all CUC for 1-2 hrs.

 

[Gramma20]

Some people told me 40 minutes to an hour was ok.

 

[Nem0]

following!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Some people told me 40 minutes to an hour was ok.

Longer is better. They are inverts and adjust slowly and in different manners having no gills or scales making them sensitive