[skallywag85]

Looking for Suggestions on a clean up crew?
My 60 Gal. is almost done with its cycle and im starting to see diatoms. was wondering how many of what would be suitable for my size tank with about 45 lbs of LR? I dont want to just take the kids advice at my LFS i want to hear what everybody else has. ALSO i have maybe 3 tiny aptasia and was wondering what would eat them if anything? and also who munches on the diatoms? look forward to everyones input.

[dinor2]

Hi!

We have about the same size tank so thought I'd tell you what I've got, so far!

2 turbo snails (these guys can and will mow over loose rocks!)
4 astrea snails
2 cerith snails
4 hermit crabs
2 peppermint shrimp (they eat all my aptasia as they pop up, never had a problem with aptasia! I'd get two or three of those in your tank asap to nip those in the bud)
1 cleaner shrimp
6 nassarius snails (great sand sifters)
1 blue dot sleeper goby (keeps the sand looking perfectly clean!)

Probably going to get an emerald crab too to help with the bubble algae but, still researching that guy.

[skallywag85]

Originally Posted by dinor2

Hi!

We have about the same size tank so thought I'd tell you what I've got, so far!

2 turbo snails (these guys can and will mow over loose rocks!)
4 astrea snails
2 cerith snails
4 hermit crabs
2 peppermint shrimp (they eat all my aptasia as they pop up, never had a problem with aptasia! I'd get two or three of those in your tank asap to nip those in the bud)
1 cleaner shrimp
6 nassarius snails (great sand sifters)
1 blue dot sleeper goby (keeps the sand looking perfectly clean!)

Probably going to get an emerald crab too to help with the bubble algae but, still researching that guy.

cool. cant wait to see more life in there. how many of what did you add at the same time?

[ianizaguirre]

15 hermits ( get some empty shells so theres no fighting with snails) , one orange spot goby ( which is the best sand sifter) 10 astrea snails and 2 cerith snails and as for your other problem get this it worked for me when i first started out

Blue Life Aiptasia Control (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Additives > Aiptasia & Pest Control > Liquid Eliminators )
just get it at your local fish store

[Dr. Clyde]

I don't know if this is true but I've heard that the online recommended cleanup crews you get from people selling them are usually to many critters & you have some die off from lack of food as soon as they clean it up.

[skallywag85]

Originally Posted by ianizaguirre

15 hermits ( get some empty shells so theres no fighting with snails) , one orange spot goby ( which is the best sand sifter) 10 astrea snails and 2 cerith snails and as for your other problem get this it worked for me when i first started out

Blue Life Aiptasia Control (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Additives > Aiptasia & Pest Control > Liquid Eliminators )
just get it at your local fish store

Thank you!

[nanoreefer1]

10Gallon Clean up crew
3Nassarius
3Tiger Trochus
3Cerith Altratum
2Peppermint Shrimp
1Skunk Shrimp

Now take the snails times three, and add one more skunk.

The best part is none of the snails can die from flipping over, and you wont have crabs coming after your snails for food. You still achieve the same amount of cleaning.

[pogodzib]

There are many good cleanup crew packages available online and I'd recommend going with one of the packages for starters and then add additional inverts if needed. Many of the packages available are specialize for a specific issue, such as algae, detritus, etc..., but you should try to get a general cleanup package. One thing to note though is that almost all of the packages have way too many critters for the recommend tank size and very often will mix hermits with snails. Mixing a few hermits with snails is fine, but the hermits need to have empty shells to move into when they outgrow their current shells and they love to eat snails. As for a package size, I'd recommend picking a package that is rated for no more than 1/2 of the tank size and go from there.