When to add cleaning crew

**Adimondinthesky** · 10-09-2007, 08:20 AM

I am going to be setting up a 34 gallon tank with cured live rock and aragonite based substrate. When should I add the cleaning crew and are shrimp and hermit crabs considered fish or part of the crew? How many of each should I have for a tank that will probably end up being 29-30 gallons once the rock and sand are in it?
Also, with this rock being cured, I have some Purple Up that I am going to try with the new lighting, when should I start adding that to the tank?

**Dave66** · 10-09-2007, 09:56 AM

Add the clean-up crew when ammonia and nitrite are zero. They usually advocate 1 per gallon. Purple up should be added after the first month.

Dave

**Adimondinthesky** · 10-09-2007, 02:31 PM

Am I able to add them all at the same time?

**cocoa_pleco** · 10-09-2007, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Adimondinthesky

Am I able to add them all at the same time?

should be, but just make sure you have algae growing for the hermits to eat

**CAF** · 10-09-2007, 02:46 PM

I generally recommend adding 5 to 10 cleaning crew at time. While they do not have a large bio-load I feel it is better to add a smaller number in order to make sure there is no issues as a reult of adding them to the tank.

**zackish** · 10-09-2007, 03:13 PM

I know everyone says to add a cleaning crew first but to me it seems kind of pointless. Most snails and such eat certain types of algae and in a new tank there isn't a lot of algae yet so isn't it kind of pointless to put them in a tank with no algae?

**CAF** · 10-09-2007, 03:23 PM

Originally Posted by zackish

I know everyone says to add a cleaning crew first but to me it seems kind of pointless. Most snails and such eat certain types of algae and in a new tank there isn't a lot of algae yet so isn't it kind of pointless to put them in a tank with no algae?

I have a tank set up with live rock for a little over a week and I am starting to get algae in the tank. Cycle is completed so it is time for me to add my crew... I'm picking them up at lunch...

**Adimondinthesky** · 10-09-2007, 03:40 PM

Along with snails and crabs, I am wanting to get 2 cleaner shrimp and 3 sexy shrimp, is that too many for a 34 gallon tank?

Also, I have been thinking of adding an in tank refugium...any comments on that? Good, bad or useless?

Thanks!

**CAF** · 10-09-2007, 03:43 PM

Sexy Shrimp should have an anemone to call home. If you do not have any, I would not recommend getting any of the sexy shrimp until you do.

**zackish** · 10-09-2007, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by CAF

I have a tank set up with live rock for a little over a week and I am starting to get algae in the tank. Cycle is completed so it is time for me to add my crew... I'm picking them up at lunch...

I got very cured rock but it is only covered with coralline algae. What eats that?
My cycle is done and I have my new clown in there and he is doing great. I am about to turn the lights on today for the first time for him. The zoo patches I got should like it too!