[ChocolateChipStar]

I was under the impression that it's not safe for crabs or snails as even a partial cleanup crew before you've completed the initial water cycle, but I'm seeing in several posts that some people do have some of these guys while cycling.

Am I safe to get a few since I'm a month along, or should I wait until the cycle is complete?

[RyanG]

If your NO2 and NO3 levels are still high then your just taking a risk and they might perish. Really it is up to you the reef aquarist.

[allykay]

I've been told it's best to let the cycle complete itself before adding them. There's a chance they may survive, but it's not even partially as good as their chances will be if you let it finish cycling.

[Jason L]

i agree with Ryan if N02 And NO3 are 0 go for it try 1 or 2 blue leg crabs

[gcline87]

I have a ten gallon tank with two crabs, one snail for the glass, with two other snails that hang out under the sand bed. Do you think I need more than this? I am hesitant to buy more crabs just because it seems that they have a tendency to kill my fish and eat some of my corals. I have considered going crabless.

[RyanG]

Glenn, thats why I don't have crabs in my tank, they kill my snails!

[ChocolateChipStar]

Glen ~

So far, we've not had a problem with our crabs, but it's only been about 2 weeks since we finished our initial cycle. I certainly wouldn't add more crabs, but if your snails are digging into he sand, you may want to consider one or two which will clean of the sides of the tank. (Or....you might wait until the crabs *kick off* before doing so!)