CUC - What to get. What to avoid.

B

bdare

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Hello all,

I'm beginning to plan the CUC for my 40BDR. I've always just kept ceriths, astreas, nassurus, and a few hermits (red leg, blue leg, and scarlets).

They ones I've had have been very safe and do a pretty good job. I'd like to add a little more diversity with the next crew.

Can you suggest creatures that are totally safe? I don't wany anything that has the risk of becoming naughty.

Thanks,
Ben
 
A brittle star or two, maybe a tiger tail cuke if you plan on a good deep sand bed. Maybe a peppermint shrimp, sally lightfoot, emerald crab..
 
Are emerald crabs OK? I've heard stories of people ripping them out of thier tanks.

Also, I'd LOVE to keep a cucumber. Is a 40 big enough to support one? Do they nuke the tank when they die?
 
Some people say emeralds can be hit or miss. I'm not 100% convinced of that. If you have a 2' x 2' open area of DSB (min 4") then I'd think a small tiger tail cuke would work. They're one of the holothurids that aren't toxic.
 
I've had mixed results. Even small ORA raised ones seem to go south in my tanks. I know others have had much better luck, though- I just can't recommend something that I've had problems with.

Like a lot of things, your mileage may vary.
 
I only have about 2" sand bed and my cuke has been fine for the past 6-7 months. Mine stays on the surface of the sand eating all day
 
I would avoid any cucumbers personally. They don't do it often, but when they do nuke tanks it is complete disaster. Sea Apple or not, only good cucumber is one not in my tanks.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1278745&highlight=cucumber
 
As Scott has indicated, there are cukes that are non toxic, and if they died, would not result on a "complete disaster."
 
There are some beautiful hermits that you could add ot your CUC. For example, an electric blue hermit. Their color is brilliant. I would only add one or two because a) they're a bit pricey and b) they get about 2" and c) all hermits are scavengers which means your snails are eventually toast.
Another hermit is the hawaiin zebra hermit. A very beautiful dwarf hermit with one larger claw than the other w/ zebra like coloration.

Moving away from hermits, you could go with a queen or fighting conch.
Also, green emerald crabs are great. I think you would be fine with one or two. I've NEVER had an emerald go bad in my tanks. I've kept an emerald in every tank I have ever owned.

How 'bout a porcelain crab? He's a filter feeder. Has some beautiful colors and is harmless to your tank.

You could look into some different shrimps. A cleaner, or fire shrimp.

You could always try a lettuce nudibranch. They are brilliant in color, especially under a nice actinic or 14k & higher MH. Of course, they've always vanished like a fart in the wind in my tanks.

I definitely agree with getting a brittle star. Great feeders.
How 'bout a mexican turbo? Outstanding algae cleaners off the glass!

A strawberry crab. They are harmless and add great pink color to your tank crawling around.

CUC is fun. It's one of my favorite parts of a tank. I just don't like to over do them. Kinda like you, I like diversity... not 20 of the same thing roaming around.

There's a little help from FranktheTank.
 
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