cleanup crew suggestions

[reefer0924]

my tanks almost cycled so im looking into cleanup crews, im just trying to find out the best way to go, any ideas are appreciated and are helpful thanks

[Chameleon Bob]

In my opinon this is what i would use:Nassarius Snail, Cerith Snail, Bumble Bee Snail, Turbo Snail, Peppermint Shrimp and Scarlet Reef Hermits. Hope it helps, I'd start with a few crabs and maybe a turbo for awhile before you add the others especially the shrimp

[Steve McKay]

You may want to leave out the Bumble Bee Snails,they can kill and eat other snails.You may also want to leave out the Peppermint Shrimp depending on what else your going to have in your tank.They are good for eating aiptasia (pest anemone)but if your going to get a Coco Worm or feather dusters I wouldn't get one the shrimp will pick at the crown of the worms or dusters.A safe shrimp to get would be a Skunk Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis),I would also stay away from the Coral Banded Shrimp.Snails are the best help you can get Nassarius Snails,Cerith Snails,turbo snails are good to have.

[reefer0924]

awesome, i was gonna go with turbos and reef hermits and eventually a cleaner shrimp, but i definately will look into getting some ceriths and nassaras also , thanks alot for the help, also what amount should i put in a 46 bowfront, i got in my cart about 12 turbos and i think i had 12 margarite snails wich ill change to ceriths, and 20 reef hermits, is that too much or not enough? again thanks alot for your time and help

[Chameleon Bob]

hey reefer,
That is actually a pretty good number. I have a 55 and bought 15 of turbos, hermits and nassarius. Mine did a great job getting the system clean but when the food wasn't plentiful the weak ones died and now I have the right amount. From what I can see I have 8 turbos, 10 nassarius and actually 18 hermits(must of had some from live rock).

[Steve McKay]

I would decrease those numbers by 1/3.

[reefer0924]

so 8 turbos ,8 nassarius, and 13 reef hermits?

[Steve McKay]

Sounds ok,I would get Scarlet hermits if you get some and get some extra shells for them they will need them as they grow.

[zhenya]

Sounds ok,I would get Scarlet hermits if you get some and get some extra shells for them they will need them as they grow.

I would reduce number of hermits to about 5 if you bent on having them. I never had any in my tanks and never missed them. Some of my snails are 5-6 years old, to keep them happy you must acclimate them slowly for temperature and most importantly salinity and start with only as many as your tank can support in terms of food. Most starve in our tanks because people buy 20 turbo snails for 20g tanks...
Go slow and you won't be disappointed.

[Parrothead]

I would reduce number of hermits to about 5 if you bent on having them. I never had any in my tanks and never missed them. Some of my snails are 5-6 years old, to keep them happy you must acclimate them slowly for temperature and most importantly salinity and start with only as many as your tank can support in terms of food. Most starve in our tanks because people buy 20 turbo snails for 20g tanks...
Go slow and you won't be disappointed.

Excellent advice as always Gene, Thanks