Week 23: Clean-up Crew, How Many Do I Need?

Week 23: Clean-up Crew, How Many Do I Need? | 52 Weeks of Reefing

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BRStv - Saltwater Aquariums & Reef Tanks

8 жыл бұрын

Week 23 is all about clean up crews! Hermit crabs, emerald crabs, turbo snails, trochus snails, nassarius snails, urchins, and MORE! How much clean up crew do you need in your tank? We recommend less clean up crew than you think you need, here's why.
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Пікірлер: 317

@codyh6405 2 жыл бұрын

Still a very useful video 5 years later. I wouldn't even be considering a saltwater tank without your channel. I have spent hours watching in the last week or so.

@thejurydoctor6097 2 жыл бұрын

Same Cody, they’ve given me the confidence to make the leap, hope you do too… Blessed reefer dreams to you!

@relicturtle7373 Жыл бұрын

Indeed this gave me a great idea

@CrazyCody1993 Жыл бұрын

Watching BRS has pushed me to start one. I was intimidated as I’ve kept some extremely low maintenance freshwater tanks, and these videos have convinced me that I can keep a reef

@ero302 Жыл бұрын

Currently making the leap..

@codyh6405 Жыл бұрын

@@ero302 take your time!!

@epicserve 8 жыл бұрын

If it helps, here are my notes on what they added to their tank. Hermit crabs (a few per rock structure) Cerith Snail (6) Trochus Snail or Astraea Snail (10) Emerald Crab per rock structure Peppermint Shrimp (x2) Pom Pom Crab (x2) Blotched Anthias (Fish) Randalls Goby Candy Pistol Shrimp (x2)

@alecholt8212 3 жыл бұрын

Your knowledge of these critters is second to none and the way you explain every detail and delivery it brilliantly. If only I could spell the names of all those snails I need a few of each

@leviathonmonster 8 жыл бұрын

All those little critters are my favorite part of the hobby, honestly I can take or leave the fish but NO ONE messes with my inverts!

@istandwithisreal8883 4 жыл бұрын

What about the coral 😀

@Motty24601 4 жыл бұрын

Yeah all inverts are fascinating

@_jeevesee_ 4 жыл бұрын

Inverts are so cool

@_jeevesee_ 4 жыл бұрын

Especially the urchins and shrimp

@johnhughes757 3 жыл бұрын

My thoughts as well, love the crawling critters.

@JHenrySmith2 3 жыл бұрын

I die laughing every time he says the words Fang and Sir Chomps-a-lot, such great names

@cipri8203 7 жыл бұрын

Thanks. This must be the best info I ever found. I'm not totally new to this and what I just heard just confirms what I figured out over time. The most valid advice so far.

@stagz1358 7 жыл бұрын

hands down the most educational vid iv seen on clean up crew thank you

@celticmusicfan1 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks for all the awesome info you all share in the reefing community, this coming from a new person to the saltwater reefing life!

@andrewhales9771 8 жыл бұрын

Steps for watching a new BRS video. 1. Push Like before starting the video 2. Set to 1080HD 3. Enjoy the best video on the internet

@damaster692 8 жыл бұрын

+BulkReefSupplyCom Your videos are fkn awesome even though I don't do salt water . You guys spend 2000 on a filter how about buying a new 4k Camera like the Sony A6300 wich has some of the best 4k around. Thanks.

@rc2672 7 жыл бұрын

Thank you for these classes. You/they are a Godsend.

@FOWLR4NOW 8 жыл бұрын

Fantastic video as usual guys. This topic is often neglected in the hobby. There seems to be a very poor understanding of which species are useful and which are not. Good to see a detailed vid covering the topic 👍

@wazza9089 8 жыл бұрын

Awesome vid once again, am just setting up an 840L with 280L sump myself and these vids are invaluable. Love the your honesty, so many stores try and sell the whole crew knowing you'll be back for more. I'm in Oz and have found myself some one who i think i can trust in the same way but if i was in the US i wouldn't even bother trying to find someone else, you guy's ROCK!! Keep up the ridiculously great work

@AndyYoung 8 жыл бұрын

Such a great video, well done. You're sending all the right messages.

@AA-Ashley 8 жыл бұрын

Great video as always, my dad is having trouble with his algae in his tank so I'll show him this video, thanks!

@p.vargas5021 8 жыл бұрын

I really love what you guys do. I agree with reefer boy. I like the idea on the personal home set ups. I'd also like to see if possible, an exact process from beginning to end on a feeding routine. Like I said love what you guy do.

@grumpbert 8 жыл бұрын

Excellent episode guys. Trochus snails rock!

@reeferboy3278 8 жыл бұрын

hey guys I got a great idea for you. So today I was thinking wow these guys are great and really experienced. Then I said hm I wonder what all their home setups are. I think once a week in between the brs 160 videos like on week days or something you can go through each brs staffs personal set up. I think that would be really cool series and would really love to see what the pros reef tank looks like. What do you think????

@bane1607 8 жыл бұрын

+reefer boy that would be pretty cool. i would also like to see the staff's tanks.

@reeferboy3278 8 жыл бұрын

+BulkReefSupplyCom hopefully I can see that soon because that would be really cool to see!

@idleal01 7 жыл бұрын

reefer boy good idea and I would like that :)

@psyclinez5985 6 жыл бұрын

BulkReefSupplyCom hey,need to know something,I have been looking at urchins and outta all these animals it seems tha tuxedo urchin is tha safest,but I need to know will this tuxedo urchin eat my Marco algae??? I got this so far on 75G main,29G sump only tank, RARE:Marco algae Red Grape Green Grage Orange Sponge Neon Green/Yellow'ish Sponge Dragons Tongue Red Palm Leaf Blue Hypnea Some other Marco algae not to important Blonde blue eyed B!tch Zoanthids And regular branching neon green polyps or star burst And Babie RARE BTA I need to know cause I got info that says yes and says no And info on tuxedo urchin I can't find out like I can with other urchins eating everything along with soft corals. Any help I would be hight greatful

@rudyb3194 8 жыл бұрын

Thank you. This has been the first time anyone has said not to add so many crabs and snails to a tank as they are going to die. This may have been a given to experience reefers but I have seen so many people new to the hobby with hundreds of so called clean up crew in their tanks. Then a month or so later they are almost all dead. Great video.

@vtecbanger3180 7 жыл бұрын

great info. thanks for putting in the time to make the hobby better.

@iman2542 6 жыл бұрын

Vtec Bangel

@9StickNate 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. I did pick something up! I actually started having algae issues after I purchased a large clean-up crew for my tank. I had also been ramping up my lighting periods with T5s on for 12 hours and MH for 8. Time to make some changes.

@04NJCobra 6 жыл бұрын

Super helpful , thank you!

@Ourzebra42 6 ай бұрын

Top reefer by my opinion thank you for helping me on my learning of this hobby that i truly have fallen in love with

@eddieray8240 4 жыл бұрын

Wow... that was great. And just makes common sense? Everything has to have something to eat! Thanks for another great video! Eddie

@lilhotdog7011 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent video. I've been saying this for years.

@Rumple4skinny 6 жыл бұрын

I have 1 turbo and 3 hermits for my entire 35 gallon. they've been alive for a long time now and my tank stays fairly clean!

@stonedmegatron3459 8 жыл бұрын

Awesome video with awesome information.

@drchangtorres 5 жыл бұрын

Excellent advise.

@nicholasjohnson1295 Жыл бұрын

I really like invert foucued tanks they are just so neat

@afyounie 8 жыл бұрын

Definitely agree on getting rid of the astreas. They do a decent job, but too often they fall off the rocks and start dying. I've found that once a few start falling, all of the snails will die within a couple weeks of one another. Recently had this happen with turbos as well. I'm going to stick with trochus, ceriths, and nassarius on my next tank along with some hermits.

@mitian 8 жыл бұрын

Oh boy another good video.

@coralinealgae 8 жыл бұрын

Great advice.

@caseybrantner7459 5 жыл бұрын

Will do thanks agen for all u guys do

@jamescrook8081 8 жыл бұрын

Awesome Vid!!!!

@monkybomb_studios 8 жыл бұрын

I love this channel!! :D

@NYCityCichlids 8 жыл бұрын

Can't thank you enough for the info.

@Imabenzman 8 жыл бұрын

Great video. I'm glad you made the point of how different variables will affect the amount and type of cleanup crew desired, and that it's not just X amount per gallon. And correct on sometimes adding one specific creature may cause problems with the others. I have some hermits that have become huge and will eat my snails. I have pink urchins which are phenomenal but small snails and hermits will get stuck to their back and die because they can't get free. I got a harlequin shrimp to take care of my asterina snails, but he kills my sand sifting starfish. Mexican turbo snails were great if I had algae outbreaks but they don't last forever and they wreak havoc if you have any coral frag's. I also find that every now and again certain things need to be replenished. They are all very interesting to watch do their jobs and their part in the tank. It also takes planning and research to figure out what each individual's best options are for selection. Thanks BRS for great videos

@vassilisbitzionis1420 5 жыл бұрын

One Trochus and one Nassarius snail in a 20g. They’ve been in the tank for a year and they’re doing great. This single Nassarius is enough to eat any flake falling on the substrate. I rely more on my Collonista Snails for algae control and Bristle Worms for detritus removal more than my Snails. Free CUC is the best CUC.

@fuffoon 2 жыл бұрын

Other than being completely logical to add clean up crew only as the aquarium can support it, its also a great excuse to visit the store. Need snails, see you soon!

@sueyounglove9253 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic.

@TCShootingSports 5 жыл бұрын

I just saw your clowns on the counter at a little reef shop in Cape Coral. Nice channel / good info

@equidreams 8 жыл бұрын

I WONDERED why suppliers are always selling CUC refresher packs! I learned something today! Thanks for these vids, BRS. It'll be a long while until I can get a saltwater tank, but I look forward to these vids every week, and I'm learning so much. :)

@jaguaresed 3 жыл бұрын

Wow I loved this video and all of them I just subscribed

@BRStv 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@mattb2906 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Watching some oldies during this mild drought lol. So far I’ve been rocking 2 blue legged hermits and 2 nassarius in my 25 gallon. I was worried some Dino’s I had may wipe them out but they’re still kicking! After a week of blowing off the Dino’s and daily filter floss changing

@mattb2906 2 жыл бұрын

It’s starting to fade!

@andrew5762 4 жыл бұрын

Well said Ryan 👍give me snails every time over 🦀 lost lots of snails and ruined some corals 😫you guys are always interesting 🧐 just wish you had a depot here in uk 😀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@precisionreefsystems4421 8 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more with the clean up crew advice! Far too often I hear overkill amounts of hermits and snails being recommended- most of which perish in a few short months. And +1 on the Trochus- they're only algae eating snail I'll use other than very occasional ceriths. But finding trochus at wholesale can be super hit and miss certain times of year. I'm surprised no one is mass producing them in captivity yet.

@FishOfHex 8 жыл бұрын

I Like to add a few crabs and snails every couple months to keep the crew going I will say i have had the same Mexican turbo snails for about 2 years. I had no idea they lived that long.

@wolfmanjack3451 6 жыл бұрын

Firefish are active and happy until they are frightened and goe into shock..I found its best to use Damsels as first fish then remove them to add more mild mannerd fish.

@KnarBurger 2 жыл бұрын

I have copepods in my evo 13.5 coral qt and when they get thick in there they will eat back film algae off the glass. Between them and the snails I don’t clean the glass inside the tank at all right now. Just have to clean the power head and return off because they can’t hang on to them.

@kylecollins9970 8 жыл бұрын

I agree I do 50% cleaner crew so I have a 55 and 125 in my 55 I have a mix of crew hermits blennys shrimp and snails I have 26 altogether and same in my 125 and it was a happy medium for me.

@pjfreak99 8 жыл бұрын

My black occy clown bites my hand every time too.... Amen, I've always thought the 1 snail per gallon guideline was crazy. I've got about 8-9 snails in my 42 gallon. Haven't lost any and seems to be working.

@stormyg9169 4 жыл бұрын

Hi there! Thank you for your great videos!! How do you clean your sand during maintenance? Thanks!!

@michaelmrozek7206 7 жыл бұрын

I suggest even if you don't have an algae problem keep a small clean up crew ( very small like a snail per 20 or 25 gallons) that way if you mess up the nutrients the tank will still look good

@MikeGervasi 4 жыл бұрын

Of course I just added a 60 invertebrate pack to my 60 gallon tank 2 hours ago and then saw this video.

@razorsinthenight 7 жыл бұрын

I love your channel😍😍😍💘

@nautaki 7 жыл бұрын

I never had much luck with firefishes myself either. That said I might know why but in general they seem to be very fragile

@headon6139 3 жыл бұрын

lmfao the boxer crab always kills me

@affordable_reefing4794 8 жыл бұрын

Hi from London, UK! You guys are simply the best- i wish you were closer! Here is my question: Do you know any way of manually feeding sand sifting starfish?

@xXdwsizevilXx 8 жыл бұрын

Sad to hear about the firefish. Good video though, love the tips on clean up crew selection.

@twilightgardenspresentatio6384 5 жыл бұрын

thank you

@seanhaney8748 7 жыл бұрын

Love this series. I'm buying my first home in a month and can't wait to get a saltwater setup going. I've some 350 gallons of mixed freshwater tanks but always wanted to do a reef once I have a bigger (and permanent) fish room. What's a good size for starting? I was thinking around 200 gallon with a big sump- making it easier to have consistent parameters in a larger water volume.

@ElementL116 8 жыл бұрын

Totally agree with clean-up crew overload... been there and have seen the ill effects of them dying off. Great advice on keep the population small!

@ElementL116 8 жыл бұрын

+BulkReefSupplyCom A 240g display tank with about a dozen hermits, a handful of nerite snails, about 15 or so cerith snails, 2 serpent starfish, 2 brittle starfish, a chiton and a few tangs. I used to have a few emerald crabs, but they apparently didn't have enough to eat. They did get rid of the bubble algae.

@deadeye4047 4 жыл бұрын

I was thinking, for my 32 Coralife Cube, 5 Nessarius Snails, 5 Hermits, and an Emerald Crab. Now that I've watched this, I know that I need to tone it dow a wee bit. I know two species of fish I'm planning to keep would help with algae control. So now I'm thinking 2 Nessies, 2 Hermits, and an Emerald Crab.

@ballista6650 6 жыл бұрын

Cool. I have a plecostomus in my freshwater tank

@raysaquariums9788 6 жыл бұрын

I ordered 3 blue leg hermits from live aquaria, they sent me 15. It’s a 13 gallon tank. Luckily there’s plenty of algae for them lol.

@briansfishtanks 8 жыл бұрын

Great video! Are there stores in the Twin Cities that have better supplies of some of these clean up creatures than others?

@mrbigshot29 8 жыл бұрын

+Brian's Fish Tanks saltwater empire is usually good. if not in stock see if they can get some with there next order. tcmas members might have a some to get rid of if you ask.

@beckysk2160 11 ай бұрын

Take care.

@WichitaFallFishKeeper 8 жыл бұрын

Great info. What type of crew would you suggest for hair algae? Thanks

@stephaniephillips5945 8 жыл бұрын

that helps a lot. thank you!!! I was about to buy a pack of 50 clean up crew. 8 clouding 6 emerald crabs which I love. but for my 55 gallon probably would have ended up sad in a few weeks. I think I'm going to watch this again and order one of each for now. I'm thinking that would be good. but I might get 2 emeralds their just so damn cute!!! maybe I can hand feed them???

@theholt2ic219 3 жыл бұрын

Every time I get a firefish they last a long time then randomly just jump out of the tank. My recent firefish lasted 3 months then one day after work my dog had him in his mouth😅 the way I measure how many hermits to have is for every foot of aquarium 5-10 hermits. Also I can never keep turbos alive, out of 10 I bought over the last 2 months only 1 is still alive.

@jakelong4518 6 жыл бұрын

1 snail. 6 blue red crabs. .. good enough for a 110 gal.. no issues. . Fishes and corals still alive. 5yrs plus. Under great skimmer and water change 1 every 3 weeks .. 2 volitan 1 yellow tang.. stars and shrimps

@jakelong4518 6 жыл бұрын

Ps. 30 -40 gal water change

@vleis7226 8 жыл бұрын

Hey Guys, Love these 52weeks video's. It educated me so much, THANKS When i the best time to add CUC? I wont be overstocking them anyway as i want them for the life in the tank & not the Cleaning capabilities, that is just a cool extra. Tank is small, 30gal, so want to add 1 hermit & maybe 2 snails, thats all. Thanks for the awesome series guys.

@vleis7226 8 жыл бұрын

Seems mi cycle is complete after 3weeks, ammonia & nitrite at 0 & Nitrate at 3.5. But i didnt get a algae bloom. Added 1 blue legged & fire shrimp. Will be providing them with nori or dried seaweed. Thanks.

@vleis7226 8 жыл бұрын

Really awesome that u guys actually reply & interact with your viewers. ACES FOR THAT.... Hope i get a bit of algae so i dont have to worry about feeding these guys. Enjoy

@RainbowDragons123 5 жыл бұрын

Question can living things still grow on dry liv rock

@jesusvalenzuela533 8 жыл бұрын

I have a question I hope you guys can help me out. Do the AI prime LED light would work for a 40 gallon innovative marine nuvo tank?

@lucastostes9460 4 жыл бұрын

TODAY ON BRS TV!!!

@Drcfan 3 жыл бұрын

Sea-urchins?, in german we call them lake-hedgehogs

@coreytillery3671 8 жыл бұрын

Do you have to acclimate any of the shrimp crab or snails or do you just place them in the tank? Not sure if needs to be as a lengthy process as acclimation of a new fish.

@shekinass 6 жыл бұрын

holy shit i was about to buy 30 snails for my nano. thanks for the info

@timee5016 8 жыл бұрын

I'm starting a thirty gallon, so that's 3 snails? What about the other types? At what point should they be added to the tank? I'd like to add a goby shrimp pair at some point, do they fall under the clean-up label?

@nofearbb 6 жыл бұрын

Party on wayne!

@crankbait09 8 жыл бұрын

+paandemonium, +bulkreefsupplycom Thanks for the responses.....My tank is done cycling and I have my Percula Clowns in my QT waiting for the transfer to the DT. They have been in there for a month now. As long as Iv'e had to wait before transferring them, I hope it was well worth the wait. I will buy my next couple of inmates and go through the process again. I think it might be a little too early for a CUC sine I have nothing at the moment as means of food for them. But these snails are definitely on the "Want" list. They definitely look cool........ thanks again

@jasonduncanscott9565 8 жыл бұрын

What would you suggest for a mixed reef with a Valentini Puffer in residence?

@wilsonhunter6582 8 жыл бұрын

Do emerald crabs eat macro algae? Wondering if I can add some to the main tank from the refugium to prevent hunger if algae growth becomes very low.

@williamkonop4948 6 жыл бұрын

Hello , what kind of species was the white crabs with dark spots , very bizzare and cool. Thanks

@Iamwolf134 6 жыл бұрын

I would do somewhere around the order of 20 snails and hermit crabs so as to keep the competition to a minimum.

@jennanation6992 2 жыл бұрын

What is the rule of thumb for a frag tank with a rubble bottom? It thought about going fishless since its a 20 gallon softie frag with no sump or skimmer. Do you think I should add fish or not. I was thinking it might be easier to keep clean without fish.

@machewi1423 Жыл бұрын

anyone know what cuc member to get to eat pellets from the bottom of the tank

@leafylavender3808 Жыл бұрын

Can you feed the clean up crew with sinking algae pods?

@liamackermann5851 7 жыл бұрын

Do pom pom crabs filter feed? and if so does this help to keep the tank water clean?

@TheWincod75 8 жыл бұрын

+1 on target feeding crabs. Had a pair of emeralds destroy several zoa frags simply from a lack of food.

@TheWincod75 8 жыл бұрын

+BulkReefSupplyCom no clue what mine were, one of the two was particularly large, I loved having them but eating my first zoa frag was a deal breaker!

@TheWincod75 8 жыл бұрын

+BulkReefSupplyCom Thanks for the info as always! And nope, i had just bought them, they weren't in the tank for 3 hours, and they were mowed down. Vicious!

@futzfn 6 жыл бұрын

If I run out of algae can I also add rods food seaweed

@caseybrantner7459 5 жыл бұрын

Having some truble with a lather corl any tips when the my blue light is at 80% it will shrink up and when the light is down low or off it sprouts up ? Love the videos can't weight for the next one thanks kc

@caseybrantner7459 5 жыл бұрын

@@BRStv thanks agen for all that u do and the help c ya next week on the web

@MU-xh8fu 6 жыл бұрын

What is that at 6:20? The round ball? I recently(days) started my 16gal, used water, sand and some scraps of live rock from a huge tank move. I found two that are bright orange(a bit colorblind) and .25" diameter. Close up it looks to have patterns in the color. Any info would be great. They're super bright colored and I hope they grow into something nice. Thanks

@RGMLLC 2 жыл бұрын

I have a tiger conch and I don’t know how to feed it Bc there is no more diatoms for it to eat what should I do

@rasheedabdul890 4 жыл бұрын

Do cleaner shrimp or fire shrimp eat corals? I had some peppermint shrimp eat up my hammers. But didn't touch my GSP or Xenia.

@Scxbah 3 жыл бұрын

I'm planning on getting a 2 gallon nano reef tank. I want at least 1 fromia starfish and 1 shrimp as part of the CUC. What are your recommendations with these and for other members of the CUC I can add for the tank size?

@jrturtle-xf2lp 7 жыл бұрын

my trochus reproduced while i was on vacation. but when i had astreas they actually where better at algea removal.

@lorimichels4515 3 жыл бұрын

hi- I had small snails & crabs in my fowlr tank. Then I feel in love with a pair of bird wrasse and they wiped out my cuc. I know, I wasn't thinking. I'm really loving the bird wrasse but want an algae free & well maintained tank. Any type of cuc will work with a bird wrasse?