Let's talk about cleaning crews

[danny zubot]

Whatever would people mount frags on though without dead snail shells???

Actually .... in all seriousness .... friends don't let friends glue frags to snail shells!! Isn't a snail's death sad enough as it is? We don't need to make it a tragedy as well.

Who said anything about waiting til the snail is dead?

Seriously though. IMO, clean up crews are valuable, but its all relative to the rest of the tank inhabitants. For example, in Albert's tank there are a lot of tangs that probably promote tank cleanliness. Additionally, how well cured the live rock is, the amount of flow, size of skimmer and other filtration will all play a role in your waste levels, and thus determining the need for a cleanup crew. Albert's tank has good flitration, no sandbed and excessive compulsive tangs, so snails and hermits are not needed. Although, a peppermint or two could probably be put to good use.

On the topic of crew size, I agree that vendors over estimate the size of crew needed. Several times over the past couple of years I have attempted to elevate the size of my crew to the average standards of most vendors. What has happened every time is that through inter and intraspecific competition I end up with smaller "happier" crew. One that can be effectively sustained in my tank. Yet at any time, no matter the size of my crew, I/ve always had the same amount of algea on my glass, and none on my live rock, this is constant. My tank will sustain no more or less of a clean up crew than sum of its various food sources and territories.

Hope this made some sense, sorry for rambling!