What is currently considered the best "clean up crew&qu

[Anonymous]

I have 3 tanks that haven't had a snail/etc replenishment in 2 or 3 years, and it shows.

What is the current best option in terms of both quality and price?

 

[Anonymous]

For coral tanks, I've found that just Astreas and Florida Ceriths are the best. Good general formula is 3x as many Ceriths as Astreas. We usually collect them ourselves (under permit), but I don't think that's an option for the hobby, so I would get them from here, personally:

http://rockyshores.saltyzoo.com/price/

 

[Mihai]

For herbivores and detritivores I'd try to get some snails and other creatures that multiply in the tank. For Algae I got three types of snails that do that in my tank:
- Stomatella Varia
- some chitons
- some type of small round snail

For detritus I have
- white micro-brittle stars
- bristle worms

They multiply until they the tank cannot support a larger population and will keep doing that at all times. I don't think I'll ever get more clean-up crew members.

Just my 2c.
M.

 

[ctxmonitor1]

Is the brittle stars fish and coral safe? I heard they will sometime pray on fishes..

Mihai, how does the bristle worms multiply? Do you keep them in the main tank or in your sump?

For herbivores and detritivores I'd try to get some snails and other creatures that multiply in the tank. For Algae I got three types of snails that do that in my tank:
- Stomatella Varia
- some chitons
- some type of small round snail

For detritus I have
- white micro-brittle stars
- bristle worms

They multiply until they the tank cannot support a larger population and will keep doing that at all times. I don't think I'll ever get more clean-up crew members.

Just my 2c.
M.

 

[Mihai]

Is the brittle stars fish and coral safe? I heard they will sometime pray on fishes..

Only one type of brittle star - the green brittle star will eat fishes. All others (hundreds probably) will not. Expecially the micro-brittle stars (see the hitchhicker FAQ) can't even pray on an amphipod, let alone a fish.

Mihai, how does the bristle worms multiply? Do you keep them in the main tank or in your sump?

I didn't really see them "doing" it, so I don't know how they multiply (David... help), I just know that I started from one or two and I have more than 100 now (estimated), with some pretty big (1/4" diameter, 5" long).

M.

 

[Anonymous]

i like nassarius.
not only do they clean up real well but they turn over the sand bed regularly.
if i buy another snail for cleaning glass or something i like the "black turbans" as we call them up here. they really cover some ground, although they seem to fall prey to hermits in short order.

i don't like hermits much.

i do like brittle stars though, i don't know how helpful they are but i believe that their presence usually indicates a healthy sandbed.

 

[Anonymous]

how does the bristle worms multiply?

In short and over simplified (I have to go to work). :wink:
Depends on the genus and species. Many by asexual reproduction (splitting in two). Others have different sexes and undergo sexual reproduction while others do not have specific sex organs but produce gamates in specific segments usually the abdominal cavity. Once the gamates have maturated they are released into the water. These develop into trochophore larvae containing cilia for locomotion and food capture. After a periods of hours to weeks these larvae sink to the bottom, undergo metamorphosis and develop into adult worms.

Regards,
David Mohr

 

[Anonymous]

The question looks to me about vendors rather than critters...

I just ordered a massive cleanup critter shipment from exoticfish.com. The quality of the animals was the best I have ever seen from an online vendor. The price ended up being pretty high, but I ordered stuff "a la carte" rather than getting a package which is usually much cheaper.

Also, they don't answer email right away, they do eventually though. They are agreeable to work with over the phone.

I have another order shipping today from reeftopia. I'll try to remember to post here about how that works out tomorrow.

 

[Mihai]

how does the bristle worms multiply?

In short and over simplified (I have to go to work). :wink:
Depends on the genus and species. Many by asexual reproduction (splitting in two). Others have different sexes and undergo sexual reproduction while others do not have specific sex organs but produce gamates in specific segments usually the abdominal cavity. Once the gamates have maturated they are released into the water. These develop into trochophore larvae containing cilia for locomotion and food capture. After a periods of hours to weeks these larvae sink to the bottom, undergo metamorphosis and develop into adult worms.

Regards,
David Mohr

Thanks a lot, I had no idea. I'll be on the lookout maybe I'll catch them in the act (either doing it, or splitting).

Thanks,
M.

 

[ctxmonitor1]

Thanks davidmohr, for the info..

Do you think if i manually, incidentaly, :roll: pull them apart.. will there be two worm?

 

[Tackett]

Am I the only person that likes cukes? They poop alot, but dang they munch down the detrious. I dont trust starfish at all, they scare me. Ive seen stars other than green brittles lasso fish, fast moving fish at that. I like scarlet hermits, the dwarf bluegs are shady. So are the larger electric blues, but some have had good experiences with them. As for any other crab, or hermit I wont go near them. The only crab that ive ever seen leave anything along but dead stuff are scarlets. The rest are shady IME. Mexican turbos are diatom hoovers, so are sea urchins. But the downside to sea urchins are that most will turn your rockwork into swiss cheese chewing on the coraline. Some people say that only a few species of urchins will do this, but it happen with lots of species that arent usually known for it. So those IMO are hit and miss. As for everything else, I am reading everyone elses posts. This is a good topic.

 

[Unarce]

Am I the only person that likes cukes? They poop alot, but dang they munch down the detrious.

You're not alone. I've got two tigertails that look like they're going to split again. It's great how they poop nice clean sand for ya'.

I just have the cukes, a few scarlets, and astreas in the main display. A couple of turbos in the sump. Seems to be a good formula.

 

[Tackett]

someone finally agreed with me about that. Thanks.

 

[Tackett]

How big are your tigers now? over a foot?

 

[Unarce]

I had the one cuke for a little over a year now, and it split into two back in July. I believe the split occurred when it was around 6-8" (unstretched). The two are now close to that same size.

 

[Tackett]

My black cuke is about that size...wonder how much longer until he (it) does the same?

 

[Unarce]

This was my first tiger tail. I've only had the pink and black cukes before, but had trouble finding one after my move. Those never split on me. I kinda liked them because they also fed on live rock as well as the sand bed.

 

[Unarce]

One of them split last night. The other one is in the middle of the process. Finally, I get to witness it this time.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks very much everyone.