anyone have someone clean their tanks

[hdevils]

My tank has been running for over 5 months and its just not looking right. all my levels are great but i still have yellow powder on glass and brown diatoms on rock and sand bed. was thinking of having an outside source come check out my tank and get it going or tell me whats could be the problem.

anyone have someone clean their tanks??

[misery]

I wouldn't spend the cash on a cleaning service.. It's money better spent towards equiptment or critters ;)

Thing is, your diatoms will go away with the help of a few snails, and a good scraper will take care of the glass- Maybe a thirty buck expenditure, probably cheaper than hiring someone to do it once.

[hdevils]

how many snails are needed for 55g with LR

[misery]

More than one, less than one hundred.

http://www.etropicals.com/product/scateg.cfm?siteid=45&pCatId=1822

There you go! Them's not too bad deals.

[hdevils]

i have like 10

[cypres]

A very close family friend owns an aquarium maint. business in Chicago. We were talking the other day about fish stuff and me told me that he does 7 or 8 reef tanks and I have no idea how many FO tanks he does. If you want I could get you intouch with him?

[hdevils]

im in the west burbs of chicago. approx 45 miles from city. he may not make that drive.

[ostrow]

I'm with misery. Learn by hands-on. And make sure you have 60+ critters (snails and/or crabs) of a good variety. That'll go a long way. A combo of nassarius, nerite, turbo, astrea and cerith snails will do the trick. Emerald crabs would be a good idea. I would avoid most hermits though others disagree. Take care in choosing if you do get some as there are some that will just eat your snails. NO bumblebee snails, despite their cool shells. They will eat other snails, and other beneficial critters.

[Biodragen]

I agree with misery and ostrow.
As for the crabs...start out with some and as they die off replace them with snails as you need them.
definatly the emeralds would be worth it.

[richhaas]

Call Dave at 798 748 7881 Sealife Services I think he can take care of your problem
Rich Haas

[NU Reefer]

I had a very similar problem, added 20 blue legged hermit crabs, and 2 weeks later all gone! If you want somebody to look at it, I believe that Jeff (marshall mann) does that stuff, although usually for larger tanks. He might be willing to make a trip out if you asked nicely! LOL
-Chris