Larger reef (150+) clean up crew size

[dakar]

This is directed more towards those with larger 150+ tanks, but everyone's opinion is welcome. Just how big of a clean up crew are you running? I've been researching and all of the online sites and stuff (who are in business to sell critters so definitely a little biased), but for a tank that large they are recommending huge numbers like 150-200 hermits, 50-75-100 turbo snails, 6-10 of emerald crabs, 5+ peppermint shrimp, and each has their own favorite 'other essential critters' cukes, stars and the like...etc.

These numbers just seems way extreme to me, don't get me wrong a no effort required spotless tank would be great, but geez I 'd rather have coral and fish catch my eye, not a tank full of crabs and such. Granted a 72x24x24 tank is a lot of room, but in reality it isn't huge, but that's where we are holding at for now, unless a steal comes along on a 350G+ tank :lol:

Your thoughts, recommendations experiences, and opinions would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to cut down on the amount of work we (meaning Angel) really has to do to try to maintain things in her spotless fashion.

[peregrinus]

from what i'v heard 1 snail per gal. and 1 crab per 2 to 3 gals. i like more snails then crabs.

[Reef_Angel]

I've had it with those crabs. If I ever see another red legger in our tank, it's a gonner. We HAD "being the operative word here" a huge red legger in there. We are down to only one emereld crab now after I found that huge red legger dining on crab legs today. I'd much rather have snails and emerald crabs than hermits anyday!

Peregrinus.... I love your avatar! What type is that one exactly? Is that a Clown Goby? What a beautiful fish! It's so striking and vibrant!

Dave honey, bring me home 2 of those fishies pleeeeeeeeeezze!!! Is that cute or what?! :)

[peregrinus]

that is a true perc. very cool i think he sold for like 150$.......

[Reef_Angel]

Oh my goodness! I don't think I'll be getting 1 of them, let alone 2 any time soon! I just love the natural beauty of all the fish. Nature at it's finest....way cool!! We've got some newbies arriving this week, so we a have a few things to add the real estate in there. We just need to keep our heads about us and stay away from the LFS's for awhile, 'cause we'll spend our bill money, food money, Christmas money, puppy money..... you name it! p) Thanks Peregrinus! :)

[Buiryn]

I bought the total reef package 2 from www.reeftopia.com for my 125. I think it was about right for my tank size. The hermits that came with it were very tiny, and so far have not caused any problems. (This was ordered last May.)

Matt

[dakar]

Thanks for the input, we haven't had much trouble out of the blue leggers, the brown and reds have been just nasty to other critters, and are being removed wen possible, think we are going to try adding a bunch more snails and cukes and some more blue legged hermits. Got a Queen Conch coming in today too, just cause they are cool looking and seem pretty industrious, we'll see how she does.

[hummer]

so snails are good for a tank? infresh water tay seem to breed like rabbits

[playa0069u]

NO,! SNAILS ARE THE BEST! I know where your comeing from with those damned ramshorn snails!!!!! these guys dont breed that much, and if they do, they it's good!!! and they wont take over. I promise lol :-)

[playa0069u]

just wondering, My left handed zebra has been the best out of all my crabs. well my scarlet too but he died. I have 1 left handed zebra, then some browns and blues, and I have never seen the lefty messing with ANYTHING! anybody elses?

[mutts]

in my opinion i hate zebras! i bought a bunch about a year ago in an assortment of crabs that my LFS had they have all grown huge, well to like an inch. they knock things over, they kill my no-hermit crab crabs and snails , and they even bug my anenome. so IMHO i realy dislike hermits, a few are okay but they are really better things to clean your tank