One of our subscribers, named Frank, recently asked the following question:

Here it is, with my response below:
“Warren,
What do you think of the clean up packages offered by some websites that include a number of snails, crabs etc… Are these typical of most systems?

Frank”

Thank you, Frank for your question.  As you can imagine, there are many different types of combinations of clean up packages or reef janitor packages of worker inverts that you can order for your aquarium.  Generally, I think they are a good idea, for the following reasons:

- particularly if you would like help with selecting which worker invertebrates are reef safe and to what ratios. 

- you are likely to be exposed to some new species of animals you might not have otherwise seen or used before.  This makes it all the more fun.  I liken opening the fish boxes to Christmas morning or opening birthday presents … always a lot of fun to get new critters.

- ordering a “clean up package” saves you time and gives you convenience

- And one more benefit of “clean up packages” of worker invertebrates is that they increase the diversity in your aquarium, which is almost always a plus.  Diversity generally stabilizes your system, and it makes it more fun too.

I guess the only down side, might be you don’t truly know what you are going to get until it arrives.  And after you have ordered once from a supplier, whether it be an online store or your local fish store, you will get to know and trust them with future orders.

Hope this helps.  If there is more you were looking for in asking your question, just post another comment and I can answer it further in more detail.

Happy Fishes,

Warren Gibbons

http://www.saltwateraquariumsecrets.com

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