New Clean Up Crew Critique

Koop · 05/22/2016, 12:16 PM

Hi Everyone,

I have my 120 gallon tank finally set up with a 50 gallon sump. Live rock and sand in both the display and refugium.

I am about to order the first inhabitants and would love some feedback before I pull the trigger on the order.

16 tiny Dwarf Blue Legged Hermits
10 pack Astraea Turbo Snails
10 pack Nassarius Snails
2 x 5 pack Cerith Snails
2 x 5 pack Banded Trochus Snail
1 Brittle Sea Star
1 Banded Coral Shrimp
2 Peppermint Shrimp

I will add a Candy Cane Pistol shrimp with an Orange Stripe Prawn Goby when I start adding fish.

A Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp

Other fish I would like include a pair of Yellow Stripe Maroon clowns
Lawnmower Blenny
Perhaps some wrasses and basslets

Thanks for your input.

zeebies · 05/22/2016, 12:35 PM

I'd cross off hermits (can kill snails) and coral banded shrimp (can take fish).

I'd add some Mexican turbos and a couple of fighting conchs.

Instead of the single cleaner shrimp, I'd get a bonded pair of either the scarlet skunk cleaners or blood red fire shrimp. Pairs are more interesting to watch and you'll get free fish food! The blood reds are known to be more reclusive, but mine are out all the time.

Ron Reefman · 05/22/2016, 02:28 PM

I'd drop the coral banded shrimp. They aren't all bad, but about as often as not they kill all the other shrimp.

IMHO, your blue leg hermits are fine.

As for zeebies suggestion of a fighting conch... one would be OK after your tank has matured some. There won't be enough for it to eat in a new tank.

05/22/2016, 12:16 PM	#1
Koop Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Madison, VA Posts: 79	New Clean Up Crew Critique Hi Everyone, I have my 120 gallon tank finally set up with a 50 gallon sump. Live rock and sand in both the display and refugium. I am about to order the first inhabitants and would love some feedback before I pull the trigger on the order. 16 tiny Dwarf Blue Legged Hermits 10 pack Astraea Turbo Snails 10 pack Nassarius Snails 2 x 5 pack Cerith Snails 2 x 5 pack Banded Trochus Snail 1 Brittle Sea Star 1 Banded Coral Shrimp 2 Peppermint Shrimp I will add a Candy Cane Pistol shrimp with an Orange Stripe Prawn Goby when I start adding fish. A Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp Other fish I would like include a pair of Yellow Stripe Maroon clowns Lawnmower Blenny Perhaps some wrasses and basslets Thanks for your input.

05/22/2016, 02:28 PM	#3
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	I'd drop the coral banded shrimp. They aren't all bad, but about as often as not they kill all the other shrimp. IMHO, your blue leg hermits are fine. As for zeebies suggestion of a fighting conch... one would be OK after your tank has matured some. There won't be enough for it to eat in a new tank. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

05/22/2016, 12:35 PM	#2
zeebies Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NE Coast Posts: 851	I'd cross off hermits (can kill snails) and coral banded shrimp (can take fish). I'd add some Mexican turbos and a couple of fighting conchs. Instead of the single cleaner shrimp, I'd get a bonded pair of either the scarlet skunk cleaners or blood red fire shrimp. Pairs are more interesting to watch and you'll get free fish food! The blood reds are known to be more reclusive, but mine are out all the time.