CUC dieing, some advice please, newbie on board

[horteco]

Originally Posted by zoaElite

Agreed with Myka but to many people are supporting this 1 critter per gallon CUC rule and it's way over board.

IMO don't but hermits again they are not reef tank safe, now that your cycle is completed some blenny or goby and a few snails will work well for algae control.

I'm a little baffled about the crabs though as hermits are far from finicky. I was helping Colby @ elite clean out all of the old snail shells from his tanks and I missed 3-4 live hermits out of a whole pail, after rinsing with BOILING hot water a few times and letting it sit for 2 days I found live hermits chilling on the top.

zoaElite

I guess the information I have been gathering is wrong. I was under the impression that crabs were reef safe. The LFS employee did know that I wanted a reef tank. I don't blame the employee of the LFS, he too has been misinformed. Unfortunately he was wrong not only about the numbers of CUC needed but also what criters were reef safe.

I'm glad I didn't add the 1 per gal. that the LFS employee and other sources recommended.

I do like gobys so maybe in the near future I'll be able to get one.

I think this forum will be a good source of information for future purchases.

Thats incredible that those hermits lived through that cleanup process. youch!!! boling hot water.

Thanks again

[Myka]

Ya, it is a shame that so many LFS will sell unsuitable critters to people (whether they are naive or not). Another shame is selling critters without asking questions about the tank to make sure the critter is a good match. Some people don't like the LFS people to ask questions, but I think it is important in the big picture (save the reefs rah rah rah lol).

Btw, hermits are kind of reef-safe. They can cause troubles, and many people either aren't aware or think their pro are better than their cons.

[Marlin65]

Crabs are opportunistic feed them enough they will be fine starve them they will eat your LPS, Zoe's what ever they need to stay alive. I think you got way to many clean up crew to start with. They staved to death. just cut it back to a few and maybe dump in a bit more food. It is a matter of finding a balance. I only have one crab and two snails in my 75.

[no_bs]

Originally Posted by Marlin65

I only have one crab and two snails in my 75.

We have only 2 hermi's and 3 snails and 2 cucumbers(formaly 1) in a 110g.
The promotion of heavy clueanup crews are overstated, thats what usually ends up in heart ach and frutrations. Plus an empty wallet.

[horteco]

Originally Posted by Myka

Ya, it is a shame that so many LFS will sell unsuitable critters to people (whether they are naive or not). Another shame is selling critters without asking questions about the tank to make sure the critter is a good match. Some people don't like the LFS people to ask questions, but I think it is important in the big picture (save the reefs rah rah rah lol).

Btw, hermits are kind of reef-safe. They can cause troubles, and many people either aren't aware or think their pro are better than their cons.

Myka

I sure wish they would have asked me questions. Although they did sell me the tank, and knew it had just finished cycling, and that I wanted a recommendation on what should be the 1st new entry to the tank. I was definately naive, I trusted they knew what I should do next and I regret it.

On a positive note. I put in some seaweed this afternoon in case the snails were hungry. Just took a look at my tank and three hermits have appeared. They are barely moving, one is on the seaweed eating(yeahhhh)
The other two are getting closer very slowly. I tried to help one to get closer and that spooked him ( it made a weak attempt at finding a hiding spot),so I think I better leave them alone.

If any of them live I will keep a close eye on them to see if they leave my corals alone.

[horteco]

Originally Posted by Marlin65

Crabs are opportunistic feed them enough they will be fine starve them they will eat your LPS, Zoe's what ever they need to stay alive. I think you got way to many clean up crew to start with. They staved to death. just cut it back to a few and maybe dump in a bit more food. It is a matter of finding a balance. I only have one crab and two snails in my 75.

Marlin

this may sound, well like, newwwwbie but at this stage I can take it. What kind of food should I use, the LFS didn't say I should feed them, and I didn't ask. I have no fish so there is no excess food should I throw in some flake food, if I do throw in food won't that cause an ammonia spike?

thanks

[horteco]

Originally Posted by no_bs

We have only 2 hermi's and 3 snails and 2 cucumbers(formaly 1) in a 110g.
The promotion of heavy clueanup crews are overstated, thats what usually ends up in heart ach and frutrations. Plus an empty wallet.

Yes, definately hurts the wallet.
I saw all that algae and thought how will those little things eat all that stuff. Well now I know how much the snails can pack away.

[don.ald]

i wouldd say hermits are reefsafe, with caution. if you have a heavy feed tank they do well most times and leave corals alone. they do cause trouble, turning everything over and make a mess.

your doing great. wait until you find the hitchhikers. i bet you will have crabs in your system--wait and see

[fishytime]

you posted that you were getting nitrite readings?.....what test kits are you using?

[Myka]

Hey Doug...nitrite isn't toxic in a marine environment even at super high levels. unless you're onto something else??