Adding snails before fish?
- Thread starter tony098
- Start date
bjonesjr1
Premium Member
Most people say 1 per gallon, I saw someone who had a 150 gallon tank so they bought 150 snails, they said that they hated algae... Not to sure if you need that many, I only have a 55 gallon tank and before I put fish after my cycling was done... I put 2 turbo snails, 5 smaller snails, 5 hermit crabs, and 3 peppermint shrimp they seem to do a fine job on my tank and I have no algae problems
yogisfriend
New member
Hi Bobby,
That was me--100 snails, 100 hermit crabs for a 120. I bought a package from reeftopia. I am a firm believer in overkill when it comes to getting rid of algae! I also have two other tanks that I can divide mine into if it proves to be too much. I have never had great luck with the packages, but it's still cheaper than buying one at a time if you like a lot of them to start with. I'm hoping to head off the inevitable after-cycle-new-lights diatom bloom.
Tony, I'd go with his estimate--he has more experience than I do and I admit to going overboard. You can always add more later if need be.
That was me--100 snails, 100 hermit crabs for a 120. I bought a package from reeftopia. I am a firm believer in overkill when it comes to getting rid of algae! I also have two other tanks that I can divide mine into if it proves to be too much. I have never had great luck with the packages, but it's still cheaper than buying one at a time if you like a lot of them to start with. I'm hoping to head off the inevitable after-cycle-new-lights diatom bloom.
Tony, I'd go with his estimate--he has more experience than I do and I admit to going overboard. You can always add more later if need be.
dustybuddy
New member
im not a fan of crabs like yogisfriend. if your gonna get hermit crabs, stear away from blue legged. kill your snails a lot. reeftopia is good though. even if u get blue legged crabs wit their packages. you cant really do anything about it...
but ya... id get like 150 snails and a dozen or so crabs....I LUV CONCHES....they are really cool as well.
but ya... id get like 150 snails and a dozen or so crabs....I LUV CONCHES....they are really cool as well.
bjonesjr1
Premium Member
So what you have in your tank is fine right yogis...
Is their such thing is to many to where lets say they will starve cause their is not enough food for them to eat ???
I have the blue legged hermit crabs, only 5 though and they don't seem to bother my snails, its the darn peppermint shrimp that are their first thing when I add something new, they have to be first at checking things out... It gets kinnda of irritating sometimes cause they try to pick at my new stuff
hey yogisfriend, How many turbo snails do you recommend for my 55 gallon tank ??? I bought 2 tonight should I get more ???
Is their such thing is to many to where lets say they will starve cause their is not enough food for them to eat ???
I have the blue legged hermit crabs, only 5 though and they don't seem to bother my snails, its the darn peppermint shrimp that are their first thing when I add something new, they have to be first at checking things out... It gets kinnda of irritating sometimes cause they try to pick at my new stuff
hey yogisfriend, How many turbo snails do you recommend for my 55 gallon tank ??? I bought 2 tonight should I get more ???
yogisfriend
New member
Bobby, If you aren't having a problem with a nasty sandbed, nasty rock, or algae, I'd just stick with what you're doing. I have a lot of natural light in my house--one entire wall is glass with no covering and algae has always been an issue in my 80g. I assume the same will be true for my 120. Some say natural light won't cause algae, but when everything else is equal in tanks out of the sunlight, that's the only thing I can come up with. Plus, I love to watch them!
I was told that a queen conch is a great addition also. As far as starving them--I suppose it is possible, but I haven't seen it happen in my 80.
Tony, no crabs? Why not? I see my little guys do a heck of a clean up job in crevasses where a snail will not or cannot go.
I was told that a queen conch is a great addition also. As far as starving them--I suppose it is possible, but I haven't seen it happen in my 80.
Tony, no crabs? Why not? I see my little guys do a heck of a clean up job in crevasses where a snail will not or cannot go.
yogisfriend
New member
Yes, that is a possiblility. That's why I buy so many snails!
Alaskan Reefer
New member
You don't need that many snails unless you plan to keep a nutrient-rich, low flow tank. My algae maintenance in a 125 is handled by 5 mexican turbos. That's it. If you avoid excess nitrate or phosphate (which feeds algae), and keep the flow levels up, a mass of snails will have a hard time finding food. Sand / detritus maintenance is done by 15 ceriths in my tank -- it's nice to have a little bit of sand stirring on the surface.
Whatever a snail eats a snail poops, minus the energy it takes to grow them and move them around. Adding a bunch of snails means you'll need, well, a bunch of snails to keep the algae from the waste production down. Good water quality means less algae, and less need for snails.
Yes I have a few crabs left from the old tank, but they won't be replaced once they kick off -- snails do a better job on algae and crabs mostly just eat old food and snails anyway. If you must get crabs, I suggest the red legged hermits -- the only ones I've witnessed eating hair algae, and much safer for the tank than fully grown emerald crabs (which I've also witnessed eating hair algae).
I'd never have anywhere close to 1 snail per gallon in my system - I'd make skimmer / refugium / phosphate reactor / nitrate reactor / whatever upgrades first to combat the problem, not the symptoms...
Whatever a snail eats a snail poops, minus the energy it takes to grow them and move them around. Adding a bunch of snails means you'll need, well, a bunch of snails to keep the algae from the waste production down. Good water quality means less algae, and less need for snails.
Yes I have a few crabs left from the old tank, but they won't be replaced once they kick off -- snails do a better job on algae and crabs mostly just eat old food and snails anyway. If you must get crabs, I suggest the red legged hermits -- the only ones I've witnessed eating hair algae, and much safer for the tank than fully grown emerald crabs (which I've also witnessed eating hair algae).
I'd never have anywhere close to 1 snail per gallon in my system - I'd make skimmer / refugium / phosphate reactor / nitrate reactor / whatever upgrades first to combat the problem, not the symptoms...
I'm pretty happy with my blue-legged hermits. I initially had a problem with them eating a few of my snails, but that first of all depends on what type of snails you have. If they can right themselves, it probably isn't much of an issue. Also, it seems like the snails just have to get used to the tank. When I put new snails in, I have to check each day to make sure none of them are flipped over (that's when the hermits get to them). After about a month, it doesn't seem to be an issue. Granted I haven't been doing this all that long, but the only time I've lost any snails is when I've been out of town. It seems to take the crabs awhile to kill them even if they do fall down on their backs.
I also have a couple emerald crabs which I keep hearing mixed reviews on. One of them is getting rather big and he makes me nervous sometimes, but overall seems to be very well behaved. I think they're rather colorful characters, they don't seem to bother my fish or corals, and they eat just about anything my other crabs and snails don't get to. Of course, I may just have gotten lucky. All of my tank's inhabitants seem to be extremely laid back. It must be the daily additions of morphine.
I also have a couple emerald crabs which I keep hearing mixed reviews on. One of them is getting rather big and he makes me nervous sometimes, but overall seems to be very well behaved. I think they're rather colorful characters, they don't seem to bother my fish or corals, and they eat just about anything my other crabs and snails don't get to. Of course, I may just have gotten lucky. All of my tank's inhabitants seem to be extremely laid back. It must be the daily additions of morphine.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
hahaha
First vodka supplementation, now opiates!!!
First vodka supplementation, now opiates!!!
Vodka, I hadn't thought of that. Of course, I've heard that maroons can be angry drunks. I think the hermit crabs just retreat into their homes and cry about old girlfriends.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
There are different types of sand sifting snails. Nasarrius are tiny and have a tube sticking out of their "front." They stir sand and will eat extra food -- prefer meat. Ceriths are shaped like a horn o' plenty, and typically always black in color. They stir sand as well, and eat just about anything, including detritus.
bjonesjr1
Premium Member
the one's that I bought were long when they move around, and have antenna's I only bought 3 of them but as soon as I added them to the tank they burrowed them selves and everynow and then I can see the sand moving around or trails being made, but I haven't seen them above the sand yet and when I stir my sand they come up for alittle bit, but then bury themselves again... so What's your suggestion on what kind those are, mine are not black though they have lite colored shells almost cone shape
Do any of you purchase your clean-up crew online and can you recommend a good livestock dealer? I can't seem to find anything other than turbo and trochus snails around where I live. Not that they're bad snails, but I'd like to have more of a variety in my tank, especially for the sand.
Alaskan Reefer
New member
I'm betting those are nassarius snails. Great sand sifters and they move fast. They don't eat much except for excess food -- so they won't help with algae.
