cleaning crew help

Jasontkd · 06-20-2005, 12:06 PM

hey all, starting a predator tank and need advice on cleaning crew. any suggestions on what will survive?

skeety · 06-20-2005, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasontkd

hey all, starting a predator tank and need advice on cleaning crew. any suggestions on what will survive?

What specific predator? If I remember, you're looking at Sharks? (can't remember what kind).

(as a side note to all reading this, Jason's already gotten the anit-captive-shark-keeping beating from all of us, so please spare him).

Just want to make sure this is the predator you're talking about...or is this another tank completely?

Jasontkd · 06-20-2005, 01:07 PM

Yes, same one, and thank you for sparing me the lecture. I promise, i have done my research and am completely prepared to upgrade if/when the time comes. anyhow, I am getting a brown banded bamboo shark, was considering a lion fish (although I am not sure if those are compatible) some damsels, and that is about it. just need something to clean that stands a chance.

skeety · 06-20-2005, 01:26 PM

I have NO clue on this one...but my guess would be LARGE things.

Maybe some large fighting Conch's?

or some of the bigger decorator crabs? they're pretty cool too. Think they'd fit in good with a predator tank. They look like Tarantula's, only they get rock/sand to stick to them, so they look like they're made of rock.

other than that...hopefully other's will chime in.

wharyat · 06-20-2005, 02:11 PM

I'm not sure, but little stuff seems like it would be fine if the shark was constantly full; and plus he might not even bug them in the first place.

Twitterbait · 06-20-2005, 03:07 PM

Depends on the size of the shark. I would do a shallow sand bed though to avoid build up of detrius. As Vince said it will depend on how often the shark is fed. as long as it's not hungry some snails/conch's might be ok. Be ready for water changes.

VWD · 06-20-2005, 04:25 PM

I have no idea what a shark eats other then a leg or arm from time to time.

Loverotties · 06-20-2005, 04:53 PM

A turso!

Jasontkd · 06-20-2005, 05:13 PM

it is mostly a bottm feeder (shrimp etc.) but also will feed on small fish. my sand bed is only going to be about 2 inches if not less (mostly just for looks). what about stars to sand sift, or cucumbers? I was thinking some type of urchin, but I thought the aquarium had to be established for some time before adding them.

skeety · 06-20-2005, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasontkd

I was thinking some type of urchin, but I thought the aquarium had to be established for some time before adding them.

I definitley think a Long Spined urchin would be safe, and pretty neat to have, so I say after a couple months of being set up, get one.

But they won't really help with algae...since they mostly eat coraline. But don't worry...while they eat it, they also help to spread it. A week after I put mine in, I had no corraline, but a week later, I had patches of it growing in all over, including places the previously were bare. Now...my coralline growth is REALLY taking off!

Jasontkd · 06-20-2005, 05:21 PM

sounds good. I mainly need algae and detritus eaters, correct?

tims · 06-20-2005, 07:23 PM

well since they eat crustaceans, ploychaete worms and small benthic fishes must if not all crabs adn snails are going to be out. but they seem not to ned much light if that will help.
i think you may have to do the clean by hand only as far the algae goes.

Twitterbait · 06-20-2005, 08:01 PM

Cucumbers might get eaten, urchins might be ok but i could see the shark going for it anyways. the main issue will be detrius ( i reccomend low light to keep the algae at bay). if it is a larger shark 16+ inches then look at nassarius snails. they are small enough that the shark might not mess with them... i think. just get a long tube gravel vac and do a daily pooper scooper.

Jasontkd · 06-21-2005, 12:05 PM

How many fighting conch and decorator crabs would I need in a 180? Or, how many of other cleaners would I need?