Best picks for cleaner crew?

[Angel]

My daughter has a reef tank. It is 75 gallons and has the following
inhabitants.
75# live rock (came with a few small tube worms and assorted small corals);
50# Live sand;
1-6 inch Long tentacled anemone;
2 Black & White Percula Clowns;
2 Court Jester Gobies;
1 Midas Blenney;
3 Spotted Cardinalfish;
3 Green Reef Chromis;
assorted hermits (scarlet reef, dwarf red tip and dwarf zebra);
assorted snails (turbo, margarita and red foot moon).
This tank has been going good for almost 2 years. She wants to get a cleaner
crew from the LFS, but isn't sure what would be compatible with her current
critters.
Here are her choices for the crew:
sea slug
abalone snail
emerald mithrax crab
tiger striped fancy serpent star
tiger tail sea cucumber
sand sifting sea star
burgundy sea star
blue linkia sea star
red fancy serpent sea star
yellow fancy brittle sea star
blue tuxedo pincushion urchin
scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
and peppermint shrimp
Out of the above list of choices, what would be the best and most compatible
ones to get?
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Angel

[Marc Levenson]

Hi Angel,

The Tigertail cucumber will be just fine, and help keep your sand clean. Just
make sure it can't get near a powerhead inlet.

The Cleaner Shrimp is always a good idea.

All the other starfish aren't really clean-up crew staff, they are more a
showpiece. Linkias can be hard to acclimate and keep.

The urchins can/will eat your coralline algae.

Stick with snails, hermits, and the cucumber for clean up. Even a Fighting
Conch is a good choice.

Marc


Angel wrote:

> My daughter has a reef tank. It is 75 gallons and has the following
> inhabitants.
> 75# live rock (came with a few small tube worms and assorted small corals);
> 50# Live sand;
> 1-6 inch Long tentacled anemone;
> 2 Black & White Percula Clowns;
> 2 Court Jester Gobies;
> 1 Midas Blenney;
> 3 Spotted Cardinalfish;
> 3 Green Reef Chromis;
> assorted hermits (scarlet reef, dwarf red tip and dwarf zebra);
> assorted snails (turbo, margarita and red foot moon).
> This tank has been going good for almost 2 years. She wants to get a cleaner
> crew from the LFS, but isn't sure what would be compatible with her current
> critters.
> Here are her choices for the crew:
> sea slug
> abalone snail
> emerald mithrax crab
> tiger striped fancy serpent star
> tiger tail sea cucumber
> sand sifting sea star
> burgundy sea star
> blue linkia sea star
> red fancy serpent sea star
> yellow fancy brittle sea star
> blue tuxedo pincushion urchin
> scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp
> and peppermint shrimp
> Out of the above list of choices, what would be the best and most compatible
> ones to get?
> Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Angel

--
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[Angel]

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Thanks Marc,
We'll get the Cucumber and the Cleaner Shrimp. Do they (the Cucumbers) have
to be kept as singletons, or can we house multiples in the same tank? If
multiples, how many for a tank this size?
The LFS doesn't have any Fighting Conch, but we could look around and find
a good mailorder source, I guess.
So, I guess the Sea Stars would not be compatible with the other tank
fellows.
I didn't think they would be (at least some of them), since I thought many
types ate certain types of inverts.
I didn't know about the Sea Slug, though. I remember reading somewhere that
they were hard to keep alive.
I also wasn't too sure about the Emerald Crab. I've heard of other people
who had them, but when the crab got larger, many of their fish started to
disappear at night. The crab got the blame and once removed from the tank,
no more fish losses. So, I was a little leary about getting one of them.
Angel



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[Marc Levenson]

I bought a Tigertail cucumber about 6 months ago, and now I have two. So if you
are patient, you'll still end up with a herd. :)

Marc


Angel wrote:

> **** Post for FREE via your newsreader at post.usenet.com ****
>
> Thanks Marc,
> We'll get the Cucumber and the Cleaner Shrimp. Do they (the Cucumbers) have
> to be kept as singletons, or can we house multiples in the same tank? If
> multiples, how many for a tank this size?
>

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[Mort]

> So if you
> are patient, you'll still end up with a herd. :)
>
> Marc
>

Why is that? are they Asexual? (not sure if I used the right word... I mean,
they will split?)

~Mort

[Marc Levenson]

Yep, they rip themselves in half.

Wierd, but true.

Marc


Mort wrote:

> > So if you
> > are patient, you'll still end up with a herd. :)
> >
> > Marc
> >
>
> Why is that? are they Asexual? (not sure if I used the right word... I mean,
> they will split?)
>
> ~Mort

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[Mort]

You've inspired me to go get one. I've read that they are good at stirring
up the sand and that is something I definately need.
He's floating right now. I'll take some pics when he's released =)
Look for them in A.B.A.

~Mort

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Yep, they rip themselves in half.
>
> Wierd, but true.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Mort wrote:
>
> > > So if you
> > > are patient, you'll still end up with a herd. :)
> > >
> > > Marc
> > >
> >
> > Why is that? are they Asexual? (not sure if I used the right word... I
mean,
> > they will split?)
> >
> > ~Mort
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Mort]

Not that I did not beleive you but I decided to do some research on these
things. According to this article, they are not Asexual. Is the tiger Tail
different?

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/invertebrates/echinoderm/seacucumb
er/printout.shtml

~Mort

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> Yep, they rip themselves in half.
>
> Wierd, but true.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Mort wrote:
>
> > > So if you
> > > are patient, you'll still end up with a herd. :)
> > >
> > > Marc
> > >
> >
> > Why is that? are they Asexual? (not sure if I used the right word... I
mean,
> > they will split?)
> >
> > ~Mort
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

I can't tell you if it is asexual or not. I've not done the research. However,
I put one in my refugium that was in the main tank. It was working through so
much sand that the rockwork kept shifting.

The 'fuge is a sandy bottom, with water entering and exiting at the top
surface. When I replaced the sump & fuge with a better built one, I found two
in there, about half the size of the original.

I've seen a few pictures on RC where one was in the process of becoming two.

Marc


Mort wrote:

> Not that I did not beleive you but I decided to do some research on these
> things. According to this article, they are not Asexual. Is the tiger Tail
> different?
>
> http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/invertebrates/echinoderm/seacucumb
> er/printout.shtml
>
> ~Mort
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Yep, they rip themselves in half.
> >
> > Wierd, but true.
> >
> > Marc
> >
> >
> > Mort wrote:
> >
> > > > So if you
> > > > are patient, you'll still end up with a herd. :)
> > > >
> > > > Marc
> > > >
> > >
> > > Why is that? are they Asexual? (not sure if I used the right word... I
> mean,
> > > they will split?)
> > >
> > > ~Mort
> >
> > --
> > Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> > Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> > Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> >
> >

--
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[Paul Schnettler]

Marc,
Mine did the split thing about 6 mos. after I introduced it to the tank.
Saw 1/2 of the original 4.5 inch cuke and started to worry he was in
decline. Then found the 2nd half in my overflow...bugger must have
morphed through the inlets (didn't think they could do that till I read
the article posted last week) amazing little creatures!
Paul

Marc Levenson wrote:
> I can't tell you if it is asexual or not. I've not done the research. However,
> I put one in my refugium that was in the main tank. It was working through so
> much sand that the rockwork kept shifting.
>
> The 'fuge is a sandy bottom, with water entering and exiting at the top
> surface. When I replaced the sump & fuge with a better built one, I found two
> in there, about half the size of the original.
>
> I've seen a few pictures on RC where one was in the process of becoming two.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Mort wrote:
>
>
>>Not that I did not beleive you but I decided to do some research on these
>>things. According to this article, they are not Asexual. Is the tiger Tail
>>different?
>>
>>http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/invertebrates/echinoderm/seacucumb
>>er/printout.shtml
>>
>>~Mort
>>
>>"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
>>
>>>Yep, they rip themselves in half.
>>>
>>>Wierd, but true.
>>>
>>>Marc
>>>
>>>
>>>Mort wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>>So if you
>>>>>are patient, you'll still end up with a herd. :)
>>>>>
>>>>>Marc
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Why is that? are they Asexual? (not sure if I used the right word... I
>>
>>mean,
>>
>>>>they will split?)
>>>>
>>>>~Mort
>>>
>>>--
>>>Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
>>>Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
>>>Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>>>
>>>
>
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[John]

Mine splint as well:) Great sand sifters.

[Eric]

Marc Levenson wrote:
> Hi Angel,
>
> The Tigertail cucumber will be just fine, and help keep your sand clean. Just
> make sure it can't get near a powerhead inlet.

I've heard several places that one has to watch that these guys don't
get caught somewhere like this... What can one do to prevent it from
getting caught?

Thanks,
Eric

[Mort]

"John" > wrote in message
...
> Mine splint as well:) Great sand sifters.
>
>


Good I am glad to hear that!

~Mort

[Marc Levenson]

If you can put a sponge screen over the intake, that will work fine, BUT you have to
clean that sponge out weekly. Better to remove the risk in the first place, if
possible.

My cucumbers are in a spot where there is simply no way for them to get into
anything but a 1/2" output flowing water 24 hrs a day, and a drain with a screen on
it that is 9" above the substrate. Because the flow is gentle, even if it climbed
up there, it would be able to move away again.

Marc


Eric wrote:

> Marc Levenson wrote:
> > Hi Angel,
> >
> > The Tigertail cucumber will be just fine, and help keep your sand clean. Just
> > make sure it can't get near a powerhead inlet.
>
> I've heard several places that one has to watch that these guys don't
> get caught somewhere like this... What can one do to prevent it from
> getting caught?
>
> Thanks,
> Eric

--
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Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[mytoysdammit]

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> If you can put a sponge screen over the intake, that will work fine, BUT
you have to
> clean that sponge out weekly. Better to remove the risk in the first
place, if
> possible.
>
Added to that, what would be best cleaners for a 12 gallon nano-reef?
There's not a lot of sand in one of those and the 'cleaner kits' seem to
contain too many animals for such a small bit of real estate. It seems maybe
3 hermit crabs of a sort that stay small, and a couple of small snails to
clean up algae would do it. Would I need something that actually sifts sand?
Like a cucumber and if so, are there any that stay really small? (and don't
like to crawl into the works--I can't imagine what a cucumber would do to
tank ecology if it got personal with a powerhead or something.

I did decide to cure my own rock. I have several big polycarbonate buckets
that DH has left from his brewing days. I figure I can chuck in the rock,
add the sea water, hang a light, and toss in a powerhead for
aeration/agitation.

My basement still pongs a bit from the discus and angelfish breeding days,
so a bit of marine funk isn't going to make much difference. I think I can
get some much nicer looking rock at a much better price that way.

[Marc Levenson]

In my son's 10g, we have/had 3 snails and 3 hermits, and all is well. Just keep
it simple, and add more if you find the need is there.

Marc


mytoysdammit wrote:

>
> Added to that, what would be best cleaners for a 12 gallon nano-reef?
> There's not a lot of sand in one of those and the 'cleaner kits' seem to
> contain too many animals for such a small bit of real estate. It seems maybe
> 3 hermit crabs of a sort that stay small, and a couple of small snails to
> clean up algae would do it. Would I need something that actually sifts sand?
> Like a cucumber and if so, are there any that stay really small? (and don't
> like to crawl into the works--I can't imagine what a cucumber would do to
> tank ecology if it got personal with a powerhead or something.
>
> I did decide to cure my own rock. I have several big polycarbonate buckets
> that DH has left from his brewing days. I figure I can chuck in the rock,
> add the sea water, hang a light, and toss in a powerhead for
> aeration/agitation.
>
> My basement still pongs a bit from the discus and angelfish breeding days,
> so a bit of marine funk isn't going to make much difference. I think I can
> get some much nicer looking rock at a much better price that way.

--
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Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
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[mytoysdammit]

"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> In my son's 10g, we have/had 3 snails and 3 hermits, and all is well.
Just keep
> it simple, and add more if you find the need is there.
>
> Marc
My nextdoor neighbor has a huge reef tank. I asked him about the cleanup
crew and he said to let him know when the tank had cycled with live rock and
sand, and he'd be happy to let me have a few crabs and snails...so I guess
that's taken care of.

He's also giving me 'live' sand for my tank to get the reef sand going. It's
not a total 'take' on my part as I've set up his business LAN at home, etc.

He's also got oodles of baby 'percula' clownfish and has offered them to me,
but I still think the tank's too small, plus I'm not ready to even think
about keeping anemones to host the percs.

'kat

[Dragon Slayer]

an anemone isn't required to keep the clowns. they do well without them

kc

"mytoysdammit" > wrote in message
ink.net...
>
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
> ...
> > In my son's 10g, we have/had 3 snails and 3 hermits, and all is well.
> Just keep
> > it simple, and add more if you find the need is there.
> >
> > Marc
> My nextdoor neighbor has a huge reef tank. I asked him about the cleanup
> crew and he said to let him know when the tank had cycled with live rock
and
> sand, and he'd be happy to let me have a few crabs and snails...so I guess
> that's taken care of.
>
> He's also giving me 'live' sand for my tank to get the reef sand going.
It's
> not a total 'take' on my part as I've set up his business LAN at home,
etc.
>
> He's also got oodles of baby 'percula' clownfish and has offered them to
me,
> but I still think the tank's too small, plus I'm not ready to even think
> about keeping anemones to host the percs.
>
> 'kat
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

And a pair of the clowns would be just fine in a small aquarium.

Marc


Dragon Slayer wrote:

> an anemone isn't required to keep the clowns. they do well without them
>
> kc
>
> "mytoysdammit" > wrote in message
> ink.net...
> >
> >
> > My nextdoor neighbor has a huge reef tank. I asked him about the cleanup
> > crew and he said to let him know when the tank had cycled with live rock
> and
> > sand, and he'd be happy to let me have a few crabs and snails...so I guess
> > that's taken care of.
> >
> > He's also giving me 'live' sand for my tank to get the reef sand going.
> It's
> > not a total 'take' on my part as I've set up his business LAN at home,
> etc.
> >
> > He's also got oodles of baby 'percula' clownfish and has offered them to
> me,
> > but I still think the tank's too small, plus I'm not ready to even think
> > about keeping anemones to host the percs.
> >
> > 'kat
> >
> >

--
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[mytoysdammit]

How small a tank? I'm setting up a nano-cube tank.
"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message
...
> And a pair of the clowns would be just fine in a small aquarium.
>
> Marc
>
>
> Dragon Slayer wrote:
>
> > an anemone isn't required to keep the clowns. they do well without them
> >
> > kc
> >
> > "mytoysdammit" > wrote in message
> > ink.net...
> > >
> > >
> > > My nextdoor neighbor has a huge reef tank. I asked him about the
cleanup
> > > crew and he said to let him know when the tank had cycled with live
rock
> > and
> > > sand, and he'd be happy to let me have a few crabs and snails...so I
guess
> > > that's taken care of.
> > >
> > > He's also giving me 'live' sand for my tank to get the reef sand
going.
> > It's
> > > not a total 'take' on my part as I've set up his business LAN at home,
> > etc.
> > >
> > > He's also got oodles of baby 'percula' clownfish and has offered them
to
> > me,
> > > but I still think the tank's too small, plus I'm not ready to even
think
> > > about keeping anemones to host the percs.
> > >
> > > 'kat
> > >
> > >
>
> --
> Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
>
>

[Marc Levenson]

How many gallons?

Marc


mytoysdammit wrote:

> How small a tank? I'm setting up a nano-cube tank.
>

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[Hiver]

"John" > wrote in message >...
> Mine splint as well:) Great sand sifters.

Hello,

I am wondering if they dig far in the substrate? I have a plenum
with 3.5 to 4 inch cruched coral and did not put a second screen layer
to prevent thing diging to far.

Thanks