clean up crew for aquarium?

Question

75 gal tank
i have 4 turbosnails
about 6 other variuos snails (all small)
horse shoe crab
about 8 various other crabs
1 camel back shrimp
1 peppermint shrimp

is this too much too little or what

Answer 1

You want to increase the number of snails, as well as the types. The purpose of the cleanup crews is to keep algea from growing (and to eat any food that falls where the fish can't get to it so it doesn't decompose). The more types of animals you have, the better.

The only snails I'd really suggest staying away from are Astrea (they can't right themselves when they fall off the glass or a rock and they'll die) and margaritas (these prefer cooler water). You can add nerite, nassarius, ceriths, trochus, or others, up to one per gallon.

You may also want marine hermit crabs - I prefer the scarlet and blue-legged and you can have up to 1 per 2 gallons of these.

The "other" crabs you may need to watch carefully - some are territorial, and although they may eat algae, some also eat small fish.

The horseshoe crabs look neat, but realize how large these will get - up to 24" long. At this size, it will outgrow your tank. They also burrow most of the time, so they need a lot of open sand/substrate without rocks where they can live.

You might also want to add a brittlestar to your tank.

Since you're just starting out, you can go with what you have now, and add others as time goes on, or if you find you're having a problem with algae in your tank. Just don't try to add too many animals at one time, or you may have an ammonia spike. And you don't want to overstock your tank either.

Here's a link where you can find out more about these members of a cleanup crew: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm

Answer 2

i would also add more snails or maybe a lawnmower blenny, tang, foxface or simliar fish to help keep the alge down.
the crabs are great fro picking up detritus, but not so well at algea control.
i would agree with losing the horseshoe. they need larger tanks and when brrowing, they sometimes 'mysteriously die' and can pollute tanks fast.
also just fro astetics you could add a few more of the same kinds of shrimp.

Answer 3

try increaasing the snails.

Snails are great for saltwate, and do a good job keeping the glass clea.

Answer 4

i dont think so but thats just my opinon