Clean up Crew Combos to avoid

Discussion in 'Inverts' started by Edwell, Mar 24, 2008.

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  1. Edwell

    Edwell Plankton

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2008
    Messages:
    13
    Location:
    Palm City, FL
    While I am waiting for my tank to finish cycling....I am planning for my clean up crew to get rid of the algae that is building up after it is safe.

    Can blue, red leg and mexican hermits co-exist....

    Are there any combinations to avoid?

    I am planning on adding to the crew in stages to get the right population.

    In the future I also plan to add a few fish...so my critters need to be reef and fish safe as well.

    For a 45g hex I am considering for phase 1......

    Blue leg hermits 6
    Red Leg Reef Crab 6
    Sally light foot 1
    Astrea snails 3
    Trochus snail 3
    Peppermint shrimp 1

    Any suggestions, comments......
     
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  3. techno2

    techno2 Stylophora

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2007
    Messages:
    959
    I have pretty much every make/model that there is and I don't see any issues. Once in awhile the Sally Light foot will nip at something if it gets too close to food.

    I have at least 5 different kinds of hermits and I like the balance and have never seen any issue.

    That is except for the snowflake... Well he's not in there any more so the crabs are happy..


    \Cheers
     
  4. 72RunningBlue

    72RunningBlue Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2008
    Messages:
    81
    Yea I don't really go for a balance when it comes to keeping my tank clean, because I don't like the sally light foots, emerald crab or any kind of crab like that. Had some bad experience with them snatching a few of my fish. Royal Gramma, and a Yellow watchman Goby.
    I use 100 Astrea Snails and 100 blue leg hermits
    Along with 2 cleaner shrimp and 5 cleaner clams.
    Once a week I have to throw in an algae pad, so that my hermits don't decide to kill off my snails.
    Good Luck with your tank and take it easy
     
  5. Bogie

    Bogie Snowflake Eel

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2008
    Messages:
    2,350
    Location:
    CT
    Depends on the kind of algae you have. I had some green hair algae growing over 1/2" tall and the blue hermits wouldn't touch it, but one of the bigger scarlet hermits sat there and chowed the whole patch of algae down to the live rock. My blue hermits only eat the algae if it is short and low on the rock.