Cleanup crew for a reef tank
Size a reef cleanup crew by tank maturity, algae type, food availability, and compatibility.
A mature reef makes the planning problem obvious: light, flow, livestock, and equipment all have to agree with each other.
Image: Dieter Karner, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia CommonsA cleanup crew supports maintenance; it does not replace it. Add snails, shrimp, and other inverts gradually based on visible food and algae so they do not starve or bulldoze the aquascape.
The question I want this page to answer is simple: what would make me regret this cart in three months? If the answer is light spread, weak flow, a risky heater, or missing RODI/testing, fix that before checkout.
Quick check
- 1Match species to the actual job: film algae, sand stirring, detritus, or leftovers.
- 2Do not buy a huge package for a sterile new tank.
- 3Check fish and invert compatibility before adding shrimp or crabs.
- 4Keep shells, acclimation, and starvation risk in mind.
Run the connected calculator
This guide's rule math is available as an interactive check. Adjust gallons, goal, tier, and bioload, then pass the result into the planner.
Light, medium, and heavy targets are 113, 150, and 188 gallons of skimmer rating.
Use two heaters around 95 W each, preferably controller-backed.
The 20-40x band gives 1,500-3,000 GPH before aquascape and pump placement.
That aims to deliver 375-750 GPH after about 50% plumbing loss.
For this goal, use the 150-250 PAR band and cover the full 864 sq in footprint.
Monthly consumables often land around $60-$120 before livestock surprises or upgrades.
The math, in plain English
Skimmer check
Sizing ruleExample: 75g mixed reef x 2.0 = 150g skimmer rating target.
The multiplier follows bioload so a fish-heavy build does not get the same filtration margin as a light soft-coral tank.
Flow check
Sizing ruleExample: 75g mixed reef x 20 = 1,500 GPH useful display flow.
This catches underpowered display movement before dead spots become algae and detritus problems.
Heater check
Sizing ruleExample: 75g tank = about 188W to 375W total heater wattage.
The band balances temperature stability against stuck-on heater risk.
Return check
Sizing ruleExample: 95g system = 475 to 950 GPH delivered return flow.
This keeps sump turnover practical without asking the return pump to do every flow job in the display.
- Cleanup crew need = available food + tank footprint + algae type
- Starvation risk rises when crew size exceeds available food
- Compatibility depends on predators, crabs, and delicate corals
Keep the decision connected
What invert utility really means
Cleanup crew for a reef tank is a system decision, not an isolated fact. ReefCrafter ties the answer back to tank size, livestock pressure, equipment margin, and the failure mode most likely to punish the build.
How to make the decision
Start with the observable result, then check the surrounding inputs. If the plan depends on invert utility, confirm the tank, gear, and routine can support it before buying another product or animal.
- Match species to the actual job: film algae, sand stirring, detritus, or leftovers.
- Do not buy a huge package for a sterile new tank.
- Check fish and invert compatibility before adding shrimp or crabs.
- Keep shells, acclimation, and starvation risk in mind.
When to slow down
Slow down when the fix would hide oversized cleanup packages. A reef tank usually improves faster when the root cause is removed than when the symptom is forced to disappear.
Common mistakes
- Treating invert utility as a one-product problem.
- Ignoring oversized cleanup packages because the tank looks acceptable today.
- Changing several variables at once and losing the ability to see what helped.
- Using a generic recommendation without checking tank size, livestock, and equipment margin.
Buying/spec checklist
- The relevant calculator or guide has been checked before purchase.
- The plan fits current livestock and the next realistic livestock step.
- The maintenance routine can support the choice after the first week.
- The product or animal has a clear job in the build.
ReefCrafter may earn a commission when vendor links are used. The check comes first: recommendations should follow the build requirements, not the affiliate program.
FAQ
Can the planner replace observation?
No. ReefCrafter catches sizing, compatibility, and planning risk. Daily animal behavior, test trends, and equipment condition still decide whether the tank is actually stable.
Should beginners fix this with a product first?
Usually no. Identify the cause, confirm the measurement, and then decide whether husbandry, stocking pace, or equipment is the right fix.