55g clean up crew

[imrandy85]

I'm considering a 55g FOWLR with a DSB and 30 gallon sump as my first saltwater tank. After I get some experience I'll upgrade this to a reef. What would be a good clean up crew for this tank? How much do I have to worry about blue leg hermit crabs going after snails like nassarius and ceriths?

 

[gumby007]

I don't have a huge cleaner crew for my 55g but I have quite a few blue leg hermits and I have had no problems with them going after nassarius or astria snails. I guess I keep them busy enough, and they seem to mate a lot. I have about 10 hermits, 3 astria and 3 nassarius right now. Will be adding more soon.

 

[petoonia]

Make sure you provide empty shells for your hermits to move into as they grow. I like to keep a variety of snails in my tank. I like nassarius, astrea, turbo, at least 1 mexican turbo, and banded trochus. I've also had good luck with dwarf zebra hermits, and scarlets.

 

[imrandy85]

I figure if I get enough hermits they'll keep the sand bed stirred up. Nassarius mostly hang out in the sand too don't they? What kind of snail will keep the glass and the rock clean?

 

[petoonia]

Astrea, turbo, trochus will work on the glass, and rocks. Nassarius will hang out in the sand bed, they will clean up any uneaten food, and stir up the sand a bit.