Best algae eating snail???

[kinerson]

So what's the best algae eating snail for a reef tank? I use to think it was Astrea's but now I think they have a short life and are always falling upside down requiring my help.

I'd like snails that live long, don't need my help, reproduce on there own, and most of all are great algae eaters. What comes close to this???? And where's a good place to get em???

Thanks,
Greg

 

[reefsnails]

Best Algae Eaters

Best Algae Eaters

Nassarius Vibex, Ilyanassa obsoleta, E-Bay is the cheapest place.
Of Course they also sell other types of Snails up there too...

 

[graveyardworm]

The best algae eating snails is definately more than one species. Having a good diverse population is the best route. Different species will be better at eating different algae and in different places. Some like the sand and some like the rock and others like the glass.

Yes the astraea snails are clumbsy and not very well suited to living around a sand bed. Stay awya from the Ilynassa they are a temperate species and dont do well long term in a reef tank. I have columbellids which reproduce really well in my tanks, and they stay small. Ceriths are good for sand bed cleaning as well as fighting conch. Nassarius are also good for the sand bed but dont eat algae, they are carrion eaters and will clean up after your fish. For the rocks you may find some species trochus work well.