how much is too much (cuc)

I can't tell you that from experience but from what I've read, it has happened....hence the name "eco-terrorists".

They will also eat snails and wear their shells. If you happen to be lucky enough to have snails that reproduce and whose young could actually survive, they will also eat the young snails.

I'm not trying to paint a negative picture of hermits to you. I'm just giving you some information that I've read from some very reputable sources.
 
Just read some info from Ron Shimek...you don't sound negative...I appreciate the information...I want to add more to a clean up crew and want to make sure I add the right creatures / livestock...yours and everyones knowledge and experience is invaluable...how about starfish? Want to add some nassarus snails and maybe sandsifting starfish...should I have something to worry about with them?

thanks
 
No problem on the nassarius snails as long as they have plenty to eat. They're not predators but are carrion eaters.

The sand sifting stars will decimate any population of beneficial sand dwelling critters and will then starve to death afterwards. Another one not recommended by Shimek.

If you want something to "clean" your sand that won't harm other beneficial organisms, you might look into a sea cucumber or two. Your tank is big enough to support a couple.
 
Can I get a cuc if I don't have a deep sand bed...Also, do they just stay on the sand...seems with their size you wouldn't want them all over the rocks and coral
 
It depends on the cucumber you get. Some of the filter feeders go where they please. Most of the sand cleaning type remain close to their food source and remain on the bottom. IF they happen to be starving, they will often roam the tank including the rock and panes.

Cucumbers don't require a DSB....just lots of food to eat. They clean the sand very well.

You might also want to look into a Queen Conch or two or three.:D
 
No DSB needed for nassarius snails either. They like to bury themselves in the substrate but it doesn't need to be that deep.

While we're on the subject, aren't you using crushed coral for a substrate?
 
I had a fighting conch and a queen and the queens burrowed around like gophers and in my tank the fighting conch never really did anything, but Ive only had 1 fighting conch and only in one tank, so that is hardly a reliable judgement of their character
 
Fighting conchs are good but be advised....hermits will kill them.:D.

Not all cukes are toxic but those that are seem to be pretty touchy when it comes to ....you guessed it....hermit crabs.:lol:
 
I actually pulled out the crushed coral and now have sand...it is not real fine like oolite. I pulle dit out shortly after you came over. Did some research and decided for the long term, sand would be better...plus the wife really likes the sand look better.
 
Man those hermits are rough...will they go after the nassarius as well...i went down tonight and they are out in the open...might pull them out tomorrow night
 
You did a good thing!:thumbsup:

Crushed coral is not recommended any more.

By the way, my comments concerning the hermits and the cukes and conchs came right out of Shimeks "Marine Invertebrates" book. I embellish nothing.:D

Like I said, I like hermits but can't bring myself to keep any unless for mantis shrimp food.
 
I have to get that book...The tank still has some remnants of crushed coral, but nothing that should case a problem. I'll be pulling those little terrors out soon enough. When I do water changes, I sift the sand and pull out as much detritus and waste as possible that way...what I needing help with are for in between changes, every two weeks and the areas I can't reach. thanks for all your help tonight...anytime your slow I'm ready for the HRV and anything else we can do to control the humidity...I ight send you a pm if I have anymore questions on these guys...i'll be looking them up tomorrow some more
 
I would like to get a couple of days where the temperatures during the day stay at 45 or above to do your HRV.

I don't like working with vinyl siding in anything colder. The stuff tends to shatter or cuts don't stop where they're supposed to when it get too cold. I also don't like trying to take piece off of your wall when it's that cold. the nail bars often crack or break.

Do you happen to have a small piece of your siding so that I can do some running to find a match? I could at least get that part done when it's cold.
 
Let me see if I have a small piece of vinyl in the garage later today. It is not a big deal too wait on that part until it is nicer out as well. Going out in this cold stinks. I was out in it last night a little andit is brutal.
 
I'd like to say that I agree with Greg here. I have 3 cukes in my 225, I "HAD" a fighting coch but my hermits killed him. I started out with 5 Atrea snails 1 has become HUGE and at last count I'm up to 12 Atrea snails. The second largest snail now has a completely white shell and it belongs to a hermit. I bought 5 hermits somehow I've got 8 or 9, 4 of them are much bigger than the little ones. I've never had an issue with the cukes, they are the tiger tail ones. I find them on the sand, in the rocks, ontop of the rocks and before adding the spiney urchin I'd find the cukes on the glass once in a while. I'm slowly placing the hermits in my sump. But I have to say the best by far clean up critter I've ever had is the Spiny Urchin. He MOWED down all the hair algae and seems to be cleaning the sand, However I'm not sure about the sand he could be just moving it around and causing it to apear to be clean. I say out with the hermits and for a 325g I'd go 8 Atreas and some of the one's that Jxmetals said and 1 to 3 cukes.. Starting with not enough snails is better than to many.
 
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