[Barry69]

I know that patience is the key to a successful reef tank. Im trying!

I have 15 lbs live rock, 2-3 inch live sand bed, all parameters have been great with only one hiccup (worm got in my filter and died but nitrates are back to normal), and my tank is thriving with Copepods.

I have some algae growth and a couple of aipastias

I was thinking a couple of snails, one or two blue legged hermit crabs and a peppermint shrimp or two.

I have a real nice brittle star fish and a snail that hitchhiked that are also doing great.

Is it too soon for the invertabrates? Fish I wont even think about for another month.

Thanks for the help!
Barry

[pogodzib]

Usually you can start adding some critters when your algae starts to appear, but I don't like to add the majority if I don't have to until after the cycle is complete. At the same time, if algae starts to take over from having too small of a clean up crew, it can become a major nuisance so don't make your crew too small that it can't do the job that it's there for.

As for the aiptasia, you'll want to get rid of it right away since it will spread.

[Barry69]

Well, I know Peppermint Shrimp will take care of the aipastia and that is why I chose one of those to add.

And its only a 12 gallon. Im more afraid of starting my cleanup crew to large and starving them.

[dinor2]

I would put 1-2 peppermint shrimp in your tank for sure to help eliminate the aptasia. Note though that they won't eat them if they have other food sources, such as fish food but, if you're not putting anything in there yet then that should work well.

I started my cuc small with 4 astrea snails and 5 hermit crabs in my 55gallon; after running for 7 months I've come to see hundreds of baby cerith snails that hitched on the lr alone with some other type as well that only come out at night.

You're off to a great start in my opinion though if you have pods thriving in there! A lot of fish like to graze on those, some feed exculsively on them! Keep up the good work!

[stacef]

Hi! Sorry I do not have much time, and would love to comment on your post later. But have you voted for Decembers Tank of the Month yet? If you do not know where it is, let anyone know they would be happy to show you...only a few more days to vote, it's VERY close! Keep everyone voting

[jvharding]

Originally Posted by stacef

Hi! Sorry I do not have much time, and would love to comment on your post later. But have you voted for Decembers Tank of the Month yet? If you do not know where it is, let anyone know they would be happy to show you...only a few more days to vote, it's VERY close! Keep everyone voting

Easy There Stace. We appreciate your enthusiasm, but lets keep things in the Lobby, Nomination or Tank of The Month Threads! An occasional mention of the TOTM in the forums is ok