CuC

[Ichthys]

OK, something that doesnt make sense to me, perhaps our more knowledgeable members can help me out. First though, this is NOT a negative comment on any of our fine sponsors, my observation about CuC's apply to every seller of CuC's I have ever seen on and off RF, so it is just a general question, our sponsors that sell CuC's are great, I have bought from them before, and they have great customer service.......
ok now the question..
Seems like all sellers of CuC's sell packages (to make it convenient to buyers) of a preset number of snails, crabs, and what nots according to how many gallon tank you have. 55gal crew, or 125 gal crew.. etc etc..
How is this an accurate measure of anything? Here is my point.. if i am looking for a detritus sand sifting CuC comprised largely of Nassarius snails, some ceriths, and a few assorted hermits, what does water volume matter? Isnt cubic inches of substrate more accurate? A 75 and a 90 have the same 48x18 footprint, with a 3 inch bed, they have the same amount of substrate, why do i need more snails cleaning the same amount of sand in a 90 than in a 75? I would think the crews should be sold per cubic foot of sand.... just a thought.
Ichthys

 

[DonW]

Its part of the hot dog and bun conspiracy!

Don

 

[bigblue141]

I always wondered why they make you take sally light foots, cucumbers, and other items that should not go into a fresh tank.

I would like to see more "lot buys" of items like a certian sponsor does.

Buy 100 snails or 100 hermits or 10 Emeralds etc.

 

[YamahaF934]

And they sell snails and hermits. . . Dont know about you but my hermits eat my snails.

 

[Scooterman]

Clean up crews poop also, so IMO they just break down some of the detritus and foods not eaten but at the same time contribute to the original problem. The best and only true method of clean up is physically removing detritus before it ever becomes a problem period! I like snails etc. but not for clean up, to me that is someone looking for a way to do what you should be doing yourself, there is no better way of keeping your tank clean.

 

[Ichthys]

Clean up crews poop also, so IMO they just break down some of the detritus and foods not eaten but at the same time contribute to the original problem. The best and only true method of clean up is physically removing detritus before it ever becomes a problem period! I like snails etc. but not for clean up, to me that is someone looking for a way to do what you should be doing yourself, there is no better way of keeping your tank clean.

Excellent point, there is no substitute for manually cleaning up the poop. On that note I have a question... I just set up my new tank with a sand bed, it is my first ever sand bottom, I have previously always had crushed coral. I am wondering how sand behaves in the typical vacuum tube thing a lot of people use to clean their tanks.. I have used the gravel vacuum for ever on gravel and crushed coral, but am wondering what it is going to do when i stick it in sand? Any pointers?
Thanks

 

[Scooterman]

Excellent point, there is no substitute for manually cleaning up the poop. On that note I have a question... I just set up my new tank with a sand bed, it is my first ever sand bottom, I have previously always had crushed coral. I am wondering how sand behaves in the typical vacuum tube thing a lot of people use to clean their tanks.. I have used the gravel vacuum for ever on gravel and crushed coral, but am wondering what it is going to do when i stick it in sand? Any pointers?
Thanks

I went to eBay and found filterbag.com purchased a bunch of the 200 micron sock filters. I used a large tub and siphoned into the sock then reused the water. If you have a deep sb you may just need to get the top layer lightly and let the bottom critters do their job. The clean up crew is useful to a point, so is the sand critters but every few months you need to play catch up and get the detritus out directly. This will help keep the sb lasting a long time and the tank looking better with less algae issues. It all comes down to knowing when your tank needs it and directly removing the problem. All of the other equipment will support the tank in between but together can't do what a siphon can do in a few minutes.

 

[Scooterman]

Oh get help with this, less water on the floor and more detritus in the socks.

 

[DonW]

I always wondered why they make you take sally light foots, cucumbers, and other items that should not go into a fresh tank.

I would like to see more "lot buys" of items like a certian sponsor does.

Buy 100 snails or 100 hermits or 10 Emeralds etc.

Its not that they shouldnt go into a fresh tank. If you can keep snails then you can keep cucumbers and SLF crabs. Its the reefer not the tank. Packages prey on the inexperienced and the inexperenced do not have the knowlege to care for more delicate sea life.