CC needed

[HarleyC]

Hi,
The established set up I purchased has none, apart from a pep shrimp.
What should I get as minimum? I know J&L have groups they sell. But, that appears complete overkill. Was thinking maybe 10 snails, 10 crabs to start?
What kind best?

Thanks

[HarleyC]

That should be CUC not CC :)

[toytech]

The size depends on the size of the tank , 10 of each is alot for a 5 gal but not enought for a 200 gal , id say start with 2 snails per 10 gal , a mix of astreas , ceriths , and a fighting conch if you have a sand bed and the tank is bigger than 50 gal .As for hermits the small blue legs are good and you could add a few more then snails .Go slow if the cuc dosent seem to be doing a good job add a few more members slowly and try and get a good mix of snails.

[HarleyC]

Thanks Toytech.
Size is 120G.
Appreciate the advice.

[Dearth]

The packages J&L have are good packages and offer a good starter pack

Also when getting snails and/or crabs make sure you know what your getting as some species are not safe with coral and other snails/crab and bottom feeders.

[albert_dao]

:/

The only snails you really want are trochus and maybe a conch or two. Turbos, strawberry tops, ceriths, etc are like crappy versions of trochus.

[HarleyC]

Thanks all. Went to J&L and they suggested I wait a few weeks before adding any CUC.
Might be wise as Nitrate is 25. With it just being re-set up (Friday), would it be wise to perform a water change to try and reduce the Nitrate, or should I wait a bit?
Thanks

[Dearth]

Do weekly water change of 10 or 20% and wait for your diatom bloom to finish which will be brown algae it could take 3 days or 3 weeks to fully bloom once that happens then you can add your CuC

[HarleyC]

Thanks Dearth.
So, as it was set up with prob 80% new water last Friday, I should wait until this Friday and then maybe do 20%. Or should I do now, as the Nitrate is 25?
Cheers,

[Dearth]

Patience is the key you should not rush headlong into this as going too fast can potentially lead to a partial or full tank collapse. Get yourself into a regular routine pick a day every week that you can commit to a water change like Friday or even the weekend just want to get into that routine so that it isn't such a chore.

Same with making your water get into the habit of making it 1-3 days before the water change if you don't have a storage container IE. 50-100 gallon garbage can then you only have to make water every couple of weeks including top up water.

Again be patient don't rush the reward will be worth it.

[HarleyC]

Thanks