Best Clean-Up Crew for Beginner

[eddiecore]

Hey guys. This is my first post. I got a 12 gallon Nano Cube last night, filled it with Caribbean sand (about 1.5 inches high) and seawater. I also put in 7 pounds of live rock. I've got two questions for you guys.

 

1 - When is the right time to add in a clean-up crew? Some have told me to wait a week, others said I can start adding crabs and snails within a day or two, and some have told me to wait a month before I put anything in there.

 

2 - What's the best clean-up crew for a beginner? I don't want to spend too much either.

 

Thanks for the help!

[Joe_the_Hun]

I set my tank up about a month ago, same nanocube, with a full bag of live sand (20lbs i think) and 14lbs live rock (fiji). Within a week I had no nitrite and ammonia. Nitrates were about 8ppm. Based on what I read here, you shouldn't add anything until ammonia and nitrites are zero, minimally. Some nitrates can be tolerated. Anyways, after the first week I added five red hermits (I believe it is 1 hermit for every 2 gallons). In addition, I added 2 astrea, 3 margaritas, and 2 nerite snails. This co-incided with the beginning of the diatom (brown) bloom. I do weekly 2 gallon water changes and everything seems to be in order.

[palaegic]

Given that you explicitly point out that you're looking to save your hard-earned money, follow the path of the patient. If you start adding animals within the week, you will be replacing them within a month.

 

The cycle will and should take place with no cleanup crew present.

There is absolutely nothing holding you back from having a fully stocked tank inside of two weeks - except common sense. Seriously, don't do it. It's money down the drain.

 

If you haven't invested in the full compliment of water testing gear - then wait the month. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

 

Regardless of the course you choose. Follow the basic rules - No ammonia. No nitrites, prior to adding any livestock.

[palaegic]

Oh,

 

also, you get my 2 cents for free

 

You'll want more LR, and realize that the addition of significant amounts of liverock later once your tank is established, has the potential to kick off another 'mini-cycle'

 

Basically, I'm saying that if you plan on adding more LR, do that before starting to stock your tank at all.

 

As for recommendations:

I think Joe's recipe is right on.