Cleaner Help?

MarbleShark · 07-26-2006, 02:30 PM

Ok... I had my friend return the Emerald Brittle Starfish today back to the LFS. I saw him make a move against my Yellow Target Mandarin last night so he is not safe in my tank. Made me sad to have to return him because he honestly was fun to watch move around the tank.

Here is the question....

I have 5 Olive snails, 2 Scarlet Hermis, and 2 Mexican Turbos... what cleaners can I get that are peaceful and will go after detritus and other waste?

P.S. 55 Gallon with 46lbs of Live Rock

blue_eyes53813 · 07-26-2006, 02:36 PM

Get more hermits, and other brittlestars like the black are alot safer than the green. also nassarith(sp) snails..

Gina · 07-26-2006, 02:40 PM

Cerith, Nerite and Nassarius Snails.
And like mentioned above a few more Scarlett Hermits.

MarbleShark · 07-26-2006, 04:12 PM

Olives are not good?

aquaman3680 · 07-26-2006, 04:15 PM

You could get some fighting conch or queen conch

blue_eyes53813 · 07-26-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarbleShark

Olives are not good?

LOL I was like what in the world are you talking about... I get it now... I like green olives

MarbleShark · 07-26-2006, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_eyes53813

LOL I was like what in the world are you talking about... I get it now... I like green olives

ummm I was being serious. The guy at the LFS said they were Olive Snails. They are always under the sand and come up only to scavenge when they smell food it has seemed.

blue_eyes53813 · 07-26-2006, 04:32 PM

Sorry, Ive never heard of them and was having a blonde moment... my bad

lcstorc · 07-26-2006, 04:34 PM

Personally I would avoid the crabs but if you're gonna go there get the scarlets. They have a much better reputation.
I would get Nassarius snails to keep the sand stirred.
You could also get a fighting conch for the sand or a queen for the rocks if you are having problems in either area.
I love my turbos but had to give some back since they were starving in my tank and have several snails of other kinds that I don't even remember.
I also keep several shrimp around. I have 3 peppermints and 2 fire shrimp in my 125 and one peppermint and one skunk cleaner in my 24g seahorse tank. Finally I have an orange serpent star and a sand sifting star in the main tank. I would not recommend the sand sifter based on what I now know, but other than occasionally trying to escape I have had no problems with the orange serpent star. I do target feed him weekly when I feed my anemones so that may be why he is not a problem.

KMP · 07-26-2006, 04:37 PM

lynn, how are those fire shrimp? i've heard mixed reviews.

MarbleShark · 07-26-2006, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue_eyes53813

Sorry, Ive never heard of them and was having a blonde moment... my bad

Did not mean that I was upset... please do not take it as such. Just did not know if you knew what I was talking about or not.

lcstorc · 07-26-2006, 04:43 PM

I love mine. What kind of mixed reviews? LOL
They are gorgeous, and I have neve seen them bother any corals or do anything other than clean the fish. That was neat to watch. When we first got them or when we get a new fish they line up for cleaning by the fire shrimp. They actually lay down and let the shrimp climb over and around them eating the parasites or whatever. They eat the prepared mush I feed as well as various debris around the tank. I was worried for a while cause now I guess my fish are "clean" so I rarely see them together anymore.
I have 2 and introduced them about a week or two apart and never even had a problem there. Have not idea if they are male, female or a pair.

blue_eyes53813 · 07-26-2006, 04:45 PM

I have a fire shrimp as well. doesnt bother anything.... Coral banded shrimp are the ones I worry about...

BoomerD · 07-26-2006, 04:48 PM

You're considering many animals that are not clean-up crew material. Nothing wrong with them, but don't expect them to do something they're not gonna...
Brittles aren't really cleaners, although they will usually scavenge for un-eaten food. Fire shrimp aren't cleaners either.
Personally, I've kept serpent stars and brittle stars (NO green/olive ones) for years with no problems. Only time I'd see the serpent star is when I'd feed the tank, and it came "galloping" out to get fed. I target fed both of them to insure they'd get fed well. I rarely saw more of my black/gray brittlestar than an occasional tentacle sticking out of the rocks, sweeping for something to eat, and I'd target feed the tentacles at the same time. It was always a surprise to get to see enough of it to get a picture:

When I sold the livestock, that one was about 16" across! started out 3 yrs earlier at maybe 6" across...nice growth eh?

blue_eyes53813 · 07-26-2006, 04:51 PM

Very Nice boomer

07-26-2006, 02:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
MarbleShark Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Cleaner Help? Ok... I had my friend return the Emerald Brittle Starfish today back to the LFS. I saw him make a move against my Yellow Target Mandarin last night so he is not safe in my tank. Made me sad to have to return him because he honestly was fun to watch move around the tank. Here is the question.... I have 5 Olive snails, 2 Scarlet Hermis, and 2 Mexican Turbos... what cleaners can I get that are peaceful and will go after detritus and other waste? P.S. 55 Gallon with 46lbs of Live Rock __________________ Norm

07-26-2006, 02:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,951 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cleaner Help? Get more hermits, and other brittlestars like the black are alot safer than the green. also nassarith(sp) snails.. __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-26-2006, 02:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,834 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Cleaner Help? Cerith, Nerite and Nassarius Snails. And like mentioned above a few more Scarlett Hermits. __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

07-26-2006, 04:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
MarbleShark Torch coral Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 543 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Cleaner Help? Olives are not good? __________________ Norm

07-26-2006, 04:15 PM	#5 (permalink)
aquaman3680 Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 2,136 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cleaner Help? You could get some fighting conch or queen conch __________________ Check it out! The 90 gallon Road Trip

07-26-2006, 04:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,951 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cleaner Help? Sorry, Ive never heard of them and was having a blonde moment... my bad __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-26-2006, 04:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,982 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cleaner Help? Personally I would avoid the crabs but if you're gonna go there get the scarlets. They have a much better reputation. I would get Nassarius snails to keep the sand stirred. You could also get a fighting conch for the sand or a queen for the rocks if you are having problems in either area. I love my turbos but had to give some back since they were starving in my tank and have several snails of other kinds that I don't even remember. I also keep several shrimp around. I have 3 peppermints and 2 fire shrimp in my 125 and one peppermint and one skunk cleaner in my 24g seahorse tank. Finally I have an orange serpent star and a sand sifting star in the main tank. I would not recommend the sand sifter based on what I now know, but other than occasionally trying to escape I have had no problems with the orange serpent star. I do target feed him weekly when I feed my anemones so that may be why he is not a problem. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

07-26-2006, 04:37 PM	#10 (permalink)
KMP Torch coral Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Woodland, CA Posts: 585 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Cleaner Help? lynn, how are those fire shrimp? i've heard mixed reviews. __________________ Kenny 24g Aquapod, 24lb Live Rock, 28lb Live Sand, (3) MJ 900s (25.5w, 460gph), Closed Loop Circulation Nanocustoms 4.36 Series Lighting (144w), (2) 36w 10000k Daylights. (2) 36w Actinics, (1) R2 Moonlights

07-26-2006, 04:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,982 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cleaner Help? I love mine. What kind of mixed reviews? LOL They are gorgeous, and I have neve seen them bother any corals or do anything other than clean the fish. That was neat to watch. When we first got them or when we get a new fish they line up for cleaning by the fire shrimp. They actually lay down and let the shrimp climb over and around them eating the parasites or whatever. They eat the prepared mush I feed as well as various debris around the tank. I was worried for a while cause now I guess my fish are "clean" so I rarely see them together anymore. I have 2 and introduced them about a week or two apart and never even had a problem there. Have not idea if they are male, female or a pair. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

07-26-2006, 04:45 PM	#13 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,951 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cleaner Help? I have a fire shrimp as well. doesnt bother anything.... Coral banded shrimp are the ones I worry about... __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

07-26-2006, 04:48 PM	#14 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,637 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Cleaner Help? You're considering many animals that are not clean-up crew material. Nothing wrong with them, but don't expect them to do something they're not gonna... Brittles aren't really cleaners, although they will usually scavenge for un-eaten food. Fire shrimp aren't cleaners either. Personally, I've kept serpent stars and brittle stars (NO green/olive ones) for years with no problems. Only time I'd see the serpent star is when I'd feed the tank, and it came "galloping" out to get fed. I target fed both of them to insure they'd get fed well. I rarely saw more of my black/gray brittlestar than an occasional tentacle sticking out of the rocks, sweeping for something to eat, and I'd target feed the tentacles at the same time. It was always a surprise to get to see enough of it to get a picture: When I sold the livestock, that one was about 16" across! started out 3 yrs earlier at maybe 6" across...nice growth eh? __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

07-26-2006, 04:51 PM	#15 (permalink)
blue_eyes53813 Hey!Its not my fault Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lancaster, Wisconsin Posts: 6,951 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Cleaner Help? Very Nice boomer __________________ 265 Gallon Reef built into basement wall. Lighting = 6x250 watts MH, 2x96 watt PC ,and 2x140 watt VHO for a total watt of 1,972 watts . New addition on 4-14-07 of 100 gallon sump and 100 gallon refugium. I think I have lost my mind. Gotta love this hobby Vicki Life is like a pathway of untrodden snow. Be careful how you step in it for every mark will show Definition of FRIENDSHIP: All lives touch other lives to create something new and alive My tank chronicles. http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...wall-reef.html

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