What Cuc Do I Need? 65L

[aly_starh]

What Clean-Up-Crew do i need? And how much of what?

I know there are different types of snails and hermits, but do they actually differ from each other? If so, how?

I know i want;
1X Cleaner Shrimp
(A Few) Hermit crabs
(A Few) Snails

The tank is 65L...!

Also, do you need to buy seperate shells for hermits?
The tank will have live rock, and ive got aragonite sand, if that makes a difference.

When do i put them in?
Oh, and any other advice regarding cuc would be good!

 

[-Nemo-]

Snails:
I would get maybe 1 turbo snail -- They get fairly large but do an excellent job
5-8 astrea or trochus snails -- Beware that almost all astrea snails cannot right themselves if they fall on their backs. Does not happen often, but if you see one- save him!
5-8 nassarius snails - great for going through your substrate

Don't be afraid to put too many snails in!



Hermits:
The only real difference I've ever experienced with these guys is size, their work ethic all seems to be about the same. Rather lazy creatures, but still useful and cool to watch. Dwarf species would probably be better in your tank.

And yes, definitely add empty shells for them! Many different sizes of them. They like to switch shells often and might go after your snails if they aren't provided with empty shells to switch into. I'd put some shells in when you get the hermits.

 

[aly_starh]

Brilliant! Thanks Nemo!

Also another question, Hermits dont really *clean* the tank do they? Are they just like adding fish to a tank?

 

[-Nemo-]

They certainly help clean up a little bit, mostly left over food and such, but they are nowhere near the hard workers snails are. The bioload they add to the tank is very little, so dont' worry too much in that aspect.

 

[seffieuk]

What Clean-Up-Crew do i need? And how much of what?

I know there are different types of snails and hermits, but do they actually differ from each other? If so, how?

Yes, you want some sand sifting and some to live on the surface. I would get to start:

5 Nass vibex & 5 ceriths
2 astreas

you can always buy more later, but they will starve to death in a new tank if you buy to many too soon!

I know i want;
1X Cleaner Shrimp

Yep fine
(A Few) Hermit crabs

I would only get two
(A Few) Snails

The tank is 65L...!

Also, do you need to buy seperate shells for hermits?

Yes indeed or they will steal the snails shells

The tank will have live rock, and ive got aragonite sand, if that makes a difference.

When do i put them in?

After your tank has cycled

Oh, and any other advice regarding cuc would be good!

 

[aly_starh]

Brilliant thanks!

So apart from the test readings telling me the tank is cycled;- does brown Algea also mean the tank is cycled? And then once this appears, Can i add the snails, crabs, shrimp at the same time?

 

[seffieuk]

No it doesn't always mean the tank is cycled, but is an indicator that you are getting there your tests will soon tell you

Seffie x

 

[aly_starh]

No it doesn't always mean the tank is cycled, but is an indicator that you are getting there your tests will soon tell you

Seffie x

ah ok.
And finally, Can i add the snails, crabs, shrimp at the same time? (once tank is cycled, then get more snails (if needed) later?)

 

[seffieuk]

You can add the snails and hermits at the same time but not the shrimp - the shrimp needs to go into a stable tank as they are very sensitive. So the shrimp will have to wait a while

Seffie x

 

[aly_starh]

You can add the snails and hermits at the same time but not the shrimp - the shrimp needs to go into a stable tank as they are very sensitive. So the shrimp will have to wait a while

Seffie x

Yes ofcourse. Like how Tropical shrimp need a mature tank? thanks

 

[seffieuk]

Indeed

Seffie x