How many?

[pandora32]

I have been reading on the web about cleanup crews for a reef tank. Some say 1 snail per gal, some say 3. Some say the same, but but hermits instead of the snails. I dont really trust what i read on the net. But i do trust what people on this site say.I have a 215g mixed reef. I have a few astrea, 1 turbo, 3 small hermits and 1 large hermit, 1 green brittle star, 1 emerald crab (assuming hes alive, havent seen him for about a week), 1 sea hare, 2 nassarius snails. I know thats not enough of a cleanup crew. So what would your suggestions be?

 

[Derbird]

That is a impossible question to answer IMO. Your clean up crew needs have so many variables that no one can give you a exact number. If I notice some extra algea or buildup I add a few more to my crew. Like most things I let my tank tell me what it needs

Unfortunatly some LFS and websites will recomend huge crew to clean your tank. They are trying to sell you more to make more. I have seen recomendations that have more snails and critters in a 29 then I keep in my 125. After they get your tank sparkling clean they will starve and die. They then rot and make more nutirents and you end up with more algea. One of those endless cycle things :doh:

Some fish will also act as part of your CUC. My tangs make short work of any hair or similar algeas that may try to grow in the tank. Something to keep in mind as well.

 

[pandora32]

I have a yellow, sailfin, blue hippo, file fish, very large naso. The yellow tang does pretty good. The naso, seaweed clip or nothin. File fish does his job with the majono very good. The other 2 tangs, had em for awhile. Theyre spoiled. Anything but grazing on the liverock. Ok. Then let me ask it this way. Its a large tank. What would be a decent starting number of snails. Dont really want anymore hermits. Killin the snails and all.

 

[user 26995]

you might have an issue with the turbo knocking things over.
200 gal tank, with as much live rock, I myself would probably put a dozen margarita snails snails and a dozen or so astrea snails to start with. If they cant keep up, add a few more of each. They are both really good cleaners.