Clean up crew?

[Shad]

I am looking to get a good clean up crew to maintain my tank, ex. red legged hermits, snails etc. I just got rid of a hermit crab I had for about 3 years. I was sad to see it go, but it ate my sea urchin the other day amongst other things in my tank.
I had just purchased two clams and some new corals and did not want to see them get destroyed.
The crab did a great job maintaing the tank, but it just kept getting too big and eating too much.
Anyways, any suggestions on a good place to get a clean up crew and suggestions for what to get?

 

[steveo32]

I would say, the less crabs the better so they don;y hurt the snails. But as for snails I would get alot of the nassusours (not sure on spelling) becasue they chill in the sand mostly and the can right themselves up.

 

[Shad]

Are the tiny scarlett hermits ok? I always seem them in peoples tanks.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I have blue leg and scarlet hermits, nassarius, mexican turbo, astrea, and cerith snails an emerald and sally lightfoot crab and I do ok, I also have 2 cleaners, 1 fire and a coral banded shrimp.

 

[masterswimmer]

Shad, I got ya covered. The red leg hermits can be a terror. Reef Scarletts are the cats meow (just great as far as hermits are concerned).

I agree with Steve, Nassarius (correct spelling ) are great sand sifters and detritus eaters. Ceriths and Astraeas are also great algae eaters.

Emerald crabs are known to munch on bubble algae (valonia). Sand sifting stars are good to have.

Russ

 

[masterswimmer]

Like Chief said, cleaner shrimp play an important role in your tank too. They help to rid fish of parasites. A great symbiotic relationship to watch.

R

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Sorry stupid me forgot to include the sand sifting star and the serpent star as well.

 

[digitalreefer]

I like stocking blue legs, nas snails, turbos, and ceriths. I understand that the crabs will take the snail shells, so overstock the snails a bit. There's no real formula to this... add animals that you need to clean glass, or sand, or rock as you need them. Most of the vendors can recommend their favorite cleaning package if you explain your situation to them.

 

[Shad]

Thanks for all the info!