How to buy a clean-up crew?

[thbrewst]

Back-story (short version): I purchased a set-up from someone, 175 bowfront, with ~160lbs of live rock, have 6 fish 3 med/large tangs, 1 henioch med, 2 clowns, ~8" anemone. 1 cleaner shrimp, ~3 snails, ~7 dwarf hermits, ~6 small/medium LPS corals, 2 mushrooms (plan to add more fish and coral in the future).

I did not want to buy a big clean-up crew at first as the substrate I am using is new (ie. not in need of clean-up and did not want them to starve), but the set-up has been up and running for ~5 weeks now and I think I need to add to my current crew.

How do I properly plan/purchase a clean-up crew? Any online deals or LFS that excel in this?

As far as 'wants' the only things that I think would be neat would be to add another shrimp or 2. I also think a starfish would be cool. I don't want either of these enough to cause a disturbance in the 'harmony' of the tank though so I would want to make sure I am not rocking the boat. Other than that I just want a group to clean things up...

Thanks for any insight you have.

 

[weaglereefer]

Keen Reef has great prices on CUC inverts. Figure out what kind of inverts you want and call around to see who has them in stock.

 

[snowmansnow]

http://www.liveaquaria.com">www.liveaquaria.com</a> has free shipping on clean ups over $65 i believe.

b

 

[thbrewst]

Is there some sort of 'rule of thumb' of what you should have and how many of each? What shrimp will work with my cleaner versus a constant shrimp fight? What are general thoughts on the different types of starfish?

 

[raisedonnintendo]

It's all about the blue legs. I'd get a couple hundred there like .$$

 

[gnashty]

Some starfish will eat corals...at least the cool looking ones will that im aware of.
There are some calculators online that give suggested crew sizes dependent on tank size although Im not sure of their accuracy - mine called for about 500 snails/crabs in all sorts of varieties...

I would buy some http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+526+1133&pcatid=1133">nassarius snails</a> to keep the sandbed churned up, some [IMG]http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+526+563&pcatid=563">Astreas </a>to munch on the glass and rock - just keep an eye on them because the cannot "right" themselves should they flip over. I wouldnt do any hermits as they are known snail killers. I would also look into a sandsifting goby to help the nassarius along.

the links are for live aquaria - Its just for reference and to give you a round about pricing structure.

I would get 50 of each and add from there...Clean up Crews will require some slight restocking through the year since they die off on occasion.

 

[thbrewst]

Looks like I need this sooner than later. I think I am having my first algae breakout. Getting some 'brown' coating on the sand, a few spots on the glass, and on the powerheads. What kind of algae is this?

 

[rbredding]

thbrewst;571788 wrote: Is there some sort of 'rule of thumb' of what you should have and how many of each?

yes...


LOTS...

 

[gnashty]

thbrewst;572155 wrote: Looks like I need this sooner than later. I think I am having my first algae breakout. Getting some 'brown' coating on the sand, a few spots on the glass, and on the powerheads. What kind of algae is this?

just a good ole brown algae outbreak that all freshly cycled tanks get, some later than others...get your crew a cleanin and it should go away soon...provided your husbandry is up to par and your light cycle isnt too zealous

 

[thbrewst]

What are folks experiences with getting this kind of stuff from 'liveaquaria'? I would prefer to buy local, but not sure who a good vendor would be for this. No one seems to have all that much of this kind of stuff for sale.

 

[dakota9]

thbrewst;572155 wrote: Looks like I need this sooner than later. I think I am having my first algae breakout. Getting some 'brown' coating on the sand, a few spots on the glass, and on the powerheads. What kind of algae is this?

Still going through the diatom algae stage...

Ride it out, it will pass

 

[merkywater]

Talk to Rit he usually has deals on clean up crews too! More you by cheaper they are.

 

[superclown]

I would check local before you buy online with as many as you need you can probably get a good rate

 

[chefrepo]

If you cant get a good deal on what you need at a sponsor store check out

 

[lneesbye]

I don't know what part of town you are on, but I just picked up my cleaning crew last night at Pure Reef in Alpharetta. Jorge did a great job of explaining my various options and how they might impact my tank (size, temperament). I got a bunch of various snails and hermit crabs as well as wonderful gold banded cleaner shrimp. Now we finally have something to watch in the tank besides the water and rocks. Highly recommend! :thumbs:

 

[jef4y]

Has anyone seen large mexican turbo snails in stock in the area?? I had 3 that were the size of golf balls who ROCKED through my tank, but didn't make the move. Haven't replaced yet, but would like to...

 

[lneesbye]

<span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Again, I don't know whether it is convenient to you, but Pure Reef had a bunch last night and some were definitely large!</span></span>

 

[jef4y]

lneesbye;573281 wrote: <span style="color: black"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Again, I don't know whether it is convenient to you, but Pure Reef had a bunch last night and some were definitely large!</span></span>

Good excuse to go for a drive this weekend. :thumbs: Thanks.

 

[superclown]

Hey I just talked to rit earlier he said he is doing deals on cleanup crews

 

[chefrepo]

bpl09;574947 wrote: great site. just ordered a nice crew for $20 shipped.

You should be pretty impressed with them.