First Algae bloom. Time for a CUC?

[JaredCBell]

Starting to get some brown algae on the rock, glass and sand bed. is it about time for a CUC or should I wait a couple weeks longer?

[kaimarkhirst]

I put mine in as soom as Isaw Diatom Algae, adn theyre happy enough in there, so I would go ahead IMO..

[JaredCBell]

I put mine in as soom as Isaw Diatom Algae, adn theyre happy enough in there, so I would go ahead IMO..

what did you put in there? And how did you acclimate them? I keep reading that snails are super sensitive and most people drip them...

[kaimarkhirst]

I just treat them like my fish mate.

Used my 2 litre jug, 50% my water, 50% LFS water, and acclimatised them until 100% or so water in the jug, jut in display, the tip it out not making sure that the Crew are exposed to air.

REally thats a bit overkill, but I wanted to be super careful.. I know most people just acclimatise them using the usual bag in water liek you do with FW.

Ive got so far.....

5 turbo snails of various sizes.
1 red legged hermit crab, small(ish)
1 blue legged hermit crab, small

Will be adding a couple of variations of cleaner shrimp but not what yet.... probably fire shrimps, carribian scarlet, or the redder variation of the peppermint shrimp... Careful on the number in retrospect of your coral, as they nick food, eat polyps and can have a bad effect on them if harrassed enough..

Also, depending on the size of your tank (min 50g), a sea urchin is brilliant...

Hope this helps...

[JaredCBell]

well I just tested my parameters and all were good except my Nitrate. its around 40 ppm! Maybe hold off on the CUC for awhile?

[kaimarkhirst]

Clean up crew will be fine as snails and crabs can handle just about anything.

They eat algae, hight nitrates promote algae growth so theyll be fine as theyll have a decen food chain supply to eat, obviously the urchin will have to wait, so will the shrimp but a basic CUC of Crabs and snails will fair in your tank nicely with these sorts of readings...

No fish will, but these little guys will do fine. The only problem is the choice of hermits woull have, as some have wonderful markings and shells. Generally, id go with the smallest crab with the largest shell. Reason being is that he'll grow into it, and not go after your snails for a new home. Ask to see the crabs before you buy and you ll make a good instinctive choice.

Have fun...