[Mikeman]

For a clean up crew is this to much for a 55g tank?


1 tiger cuke
40 nassurias snails
35 alge eating snails(probably cerith)
1 red serpant star
2 peppermint shrimp
1 fromia red
2 cleaner shrimp


is this to much?

[scubadude]

Hi Mike

I dont think its too much, but you might want to change some around a bit. Maybe something like this:

Unless you have alot of your tank planned to be an OPEN SB then I would forget about the Cuke...they need lots of SB room to roam....I have tried 2 in my 90gal (course I have very little SB room) and they didnt make it. As long as you have some worms seeded in your sand bed they should help and the nassarius will definately help stir up the SB Ceriths are kewl....maybe downsize the amount to 18 of them though...and Take up the slack with some Trochus (12 of em) and maybe 2-3 small Queen Conch's (strombus gigas PA has them on sale tank raised 3 for $15.00) shrimp are fine....the fromia star is fine I believe....Im not sure on the Red Serpant star (im not well versed on starfish)

[Mikeman]

Dr. Ron said that queen conchs need lots and lots of sand to roam in.

Also why can't I just use cerith snails, since they're cheaper(alot cheaper)

thanks


p.s.
Should I add some more nassurias to stir up the sand because I'm not going to get a cuke now

[scubadude]

Thats why I suggested the small queen conchs...most conchs are HUGE im not sure about the species that PA is selling but maybe it is a smaller type species? Im not sure. You could just use the ceriths (they are GREAT snails IMO) I think Trochus are good snails to though and Variety is the spice of life The trochuse are atleast twice the size of ceriths. Nassarius snails are flat out "Awesome Snails" and yeah you could get more if you wanted.....I always look at it in a way that each snail eats different or has a different nature so a little bit of each can more than likely clean alot more different types of algae. Since the ceriths are cheaper....just get some of them for now if you want....and wait till you can find some other types for later Ya know I bought wat was supposed to be some Mex. Turbos about 6 mos. ago and I thought they looked like astreas...I think they where actually.....but this past week I had a chance to get some REAL mex. turbos and let me tell you....these guys are HUGE and they really suck down some algae!! I will try and get some pics for ya in case you ever see them....BUY SOME...even if it is just one or two...I have alot of snails in my tank and I didnt really want to buy any but I bought 3 of them they where $3ea. or 3 for $6 ....now that I have seen them in action IM AMAZED!

[Mikeman]

I actually have 6 atreas in my 29g tank(oops I forgot about them) Also the mexican turbos i can get at my lfs so no problem getting them.

[Doug1]

Definatly get a variety of snails, as they all have different appetites, not sure if the fromia is worth while as a scavenger but the red brittlestar should be ok, they arent as threatening to fish and tend to be more reclusive
Dont add the shrimp if you are trying to develop DSB infauna populations, if they dont get enough to eat they can put a big dent in pods and worms