Timing of the Introduction of A Cleanup Crew

WannaBeAReefer · 01-15-2002, 01:17 PM

I have just started a reef tank and have fully cured live rock and live sand in tank. Algae is growing (wish I could identify it all to see if it "good" or "bad algae)...

My question is when should I introduce the cleanup crew? Some books have said wait 3 to 4 weeks but it seems like my tank would get overrun by then...

Any thoughts on this?

Reinhold · 01-15-2002, 05:54 PM

Okay, I'll give this question a shot.

A clean-up crew does just that, feeding on detrititus and waste from the fish, corals and other creatures in the tank. I'd start with a modest sized crew and add more detrivores as you increase the bioload in the tank.

Do you have any fish or corals in the tank yet?

WannaBeAReefer · 01-15-2002, 06:04 PM

No fish or corals... 90g tank -- 135 lbs. of fully cured Fiji live rock, 20 lbs. of live sand, 20 lbs. of arogonite. No trace of ammonia and nitrite, betweeon 0 and 5 of nitrate so it seems the tank is ready...

It has only been 5 days and all sorts of great stuff is growing on the live rock. Amphipods are wandering around etc. I can easily see the algae getting out of control and I was wondering if it is OK to go ahead and put the crew in. I would want to put in the whole crew at once to save money vs. multiple orders...

Reinhold · 01-15-2002, 06:11 PM

If you have a big algae growth and no fish or corals, my guess is that there must be some die off from the live rock. I don't know where else the nutrients for algae would be coming from. Are you running a protein skimmer?

I think you could add some snails, hermits, bristle worms, conchs, etc. now.

WannaBeAReefer · 01-15-2002, 08:42 PM

It's not really big growth... there are "fronds" (is this hair algae?) of stuff about 1/4 inch long.. there appears to be little feather duster type things (translucent -- I apologize for not knowing the names).

I run a protein skimmer that is picking up green water still -- no sludge yet as there are no fish/coral.

It seems like I'm ready for the crew but I'm afraid they won't have an adequate food source if I put 70-80 various creatures in the tank.

Thanks for your responses by the way!

01-15-2002, 01:17 PM	#1
WannaBeAReefer Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 46	Timing of the Introduction of A Cleanup Crew I have just started a reef tank and have fully cured live rock and live sand in tank. Algae is growing (wish I could identify it all to see if it "good" or "bad algae)... My question is when should I introduce the cleanup crew? Some books have said wait 3 to 4 weeks but it seems like my tank would get overrun by then... Any thoughts on this?

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01-15-2002, 05:54 PM	#2
Reinhold Mayor Join Date: May 2001 Location: USA Posts: 941	Okay, I'll give this question a shot. A clean-up crew does just that, feeding on detrititus and waste from the fish, corals and other creatures in the tank. I'd start with a modest sized crew and add more detrivores as you increase the bioload in the tank. Do you have any fish or corals in the tank yet?

01-15-2002, 06:04 PM	#3
WannaBeAReefer Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 46	No fish or corals... 90g tank -- 135 lbs. of fully cured Fiji live rock, 20 lbs. of live sand, 20 lbs. of arogonite. No trace of ammonia and nitrite, betweeon 0 and 5 of nitrate so it seems the tank is ready... It has only been 5 days and all sorts of great stuff is growing on the live rock. Amphipods are wandering around etc. I can easily see the algae getting out of control and I was wondering if it is OK to go ahead and put the crew in. I would want to put in the whole crew at once to save money vs. multiple orders...

01-15-2002, 06:11 PM	#4
Reinhold Mayor Join Date: May 2001 Location: USA Posts: 941	If you have a big algae growth and no fish or corals, my guess is that there must be some die off from the live rock. I don't know where else the nutrients for algae would be coming from. Are you running a protein skimmer? I think you could add some snails, hermits, bristle worms, conchs, etc. now.

01-15-2002, 08:42 PM	#5
WannaBeAReefer Just Moved In Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 46	It's not really big growth... there are "fronds" (is this hair algae?) of stuff about 1/4 inch long.. there appears to be little feather duster type things (translucent -- I apologize for not knowing the names). I run a protein skimmer that is picking up green water still -- no sludge yet as there are no fish/coral. It seems like I'm ready for the crew but I'm afraid they won't have an adequate food source if I put 70-80 various creatures in the tank. Thanks for your responses by the way!

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