CC needed
 

Hi,
The established set up I purchased has none, apart from a pep shrimp.
What should I get as minimum? I know J&L have groups they sell. But, that appears complete overkill. Was thinking maybe 10 snails, 10 crabs to start?
What kind best?

Thanks

That should be CUC not CC :)

The size depends on the size of the tank , 10 of each is alot for a 5 gal but not enought for a 200 gal , id say start with 2 snails per 10 gal , a mix of astreas , ceriths , and a fighting conch if you have a sand bed and the tank is bigger than 50 gal .As for hermits the small blue legs are good and you could add a few more then snails .Go slow if the cuc dosent seem to be doing a good job add a few more members slowly and try and get a good mix of snails.

Thanks Toytech.
Size is 120G.
Appreciate the advice.

The packages J&L have are good packages and offer a good starter pack

Also when getting snails and/or crabs make sure you know what your getting as some species are not safe with coral and other snails/crab and bottom feeders.

:/

The only snails you really want are trochus and maybe a conch or two. Turbos, strawberry tops, ceriths, etc are like crappy versions of trochus.

Thanks all. Went to J&L and they suggested I wait a few weeks before adding any CUC.
Might be wise as Nitrate is 25. With it just being re-set up (Friday), would it be wise to perform a water change to try and reduce the Nitrate, or should I wait a bit?
Thanks

Do weekly water change of 10 or 20% and wait for your diatom bloom to finish which will be brown algae it could take 3 days or 3 weeks to fully bloom once that happens then you can add your CuC

Thanks Dearth.
So, as it was set up with prob 80% new water last Friday, I should wait until this Friday and then maybe do 20%. Or should I do now, as the Nitrate is 25?
Cheers,

Patience is the key you should not rush headlong into this as going too fast can potentially lead to a partial or full tank collapse. Get yourself into a regular routine pick a day every week that you can commit to a water change like Friday or even the weekend just want to get into that routine so that it isn't such a chore.

Same with making your water get into the habit of making it 1-3 days before the water change if you don't have a storage container IE. 50-100 gallon garbage can then you only have to make water every couple of weeks including top up water.

Again be patient don't rush the reward will be worth it.

Thanks