Ideal clean crew for my 10g nano??

[jerbosreef]

What would be a good balance for a clean up crew in my 10g reef nano?

Is there a general rule of thumb, like how many snails per gallon sorta thing?


My planned tank set up: Cleaner shrimp/ watchman goby and crew

 

[fishes2889]

I think a good rule of thumb is having 1 hermit per gallon. Then with snails about half of hermits. It depends on how well it needs to be cleaned and maintained.(how much liverock for the hermits to clean off). if you have a lot of rock then your going to have to have more snails than hermits....

Steve

 

[Jordan55]

I usually like a wide range of critters, so that all the algae can be taken care of.

Some you might want to consider are:

Nassarius snails
Astrea snails
Cerith snails
Blue and or Red hermits


Those are what I keep in my 25 gallon.

In a 10 gallon you may want:

3 Nassarius
3 Astrea
2 Cerith
3-5 hermits

If you get hermits, be sure to get empty shells so they can grow into and not attack your snails for theirs.

I personally like hermits because they do a good job of cleaning up algae and un eaten food. Some people do not like them at all.

 

[fishes2889]

I was just saying how many snails were neede not which type but yes you do need some sandsifters liek nassaius and some that clean up the extra food and algae. So a good balance of critters is needed......

Steve

 

[jerbosreef]

Guys thx for your responces.

I was thinking about getting somewhat close to what u guys mentioned above.

I was gonna get this: 2x of each (different types of snails, i was thinking about getting 4 types, so 8x snails total) and 1 hermit.

The reason i was only planning on 1 hermit is cause i was a bit leery about them cause of some other posts i read.
But the point about adding shells for them to grow into might prevent the hermit attaking snail problem good idea!

Now i have a question. How do i know the right/appropiate type of shell to get for the hermits?

I assume a hermit needs a new shell once he grows to big for his old shell, am i right? Is it possible to buy a full grown hermit and there be no need for it to have a new shell?

~jerbosreef

 

[Jordan55]

I am not too sure about a hermits full grown size, or when they stop growing.

If you only planned on 1 hermit, then I would get maybe 3-5 shells. Get them all different sizes, but make sure they are bigger then his he has now. That way he can upgrade each time.

 

[fishes2889]

I bought a whole bag of shells and put some sizes up from my hermits i have in the tank now. The shells are all hidden in the back of the rock. I have seen several change thier shells within a matter of days of getting the hermits....

Steve

 

[jerbosreef]

Hows about... 6 snails with 2 hermits? or 8 snails 1 hermit?

U guys tell me what u would do.. hehe

 

[noschmo]

How about 12 snails, three hermits and 1 conch.

 

[wav3form]

I see your 12 snails and raise you 4 cleaner shrimp.

 

[Jordan55]

Conch + 10 gallon = death. They need A LOT of sand to stay alive.

Just try like 2 snails of each, and maybe 2-3 hermits. And then get more if you think you need to.