Safe to get Turbos

[kramleigh]

Since adding a pair of clowns 4 days ago my readings in the last hour are:

Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 0
Phosphate - 0.1ppm

All readings have come down in the last day apart from phosphate which has gone up slightly.

I have a large amount of diatom algae and brownish tinge to the tank. Are these conditions ok to add 10 Turbos? Or should I wait a little more than 4 days after adding the clowns? Many Thanks, K

 

[ttomkat1]

I am not a fan of turbo snails, they are quite clumbsy. If they fall (which the do alot) they can't turn themselves over. Also, they are biggger so they cause me more aquascaping issues.

I like the nassura snails, they are small, but they can get everywhere.

Otherwise, yeah, add a clean up crew...

---ttomkat1

 

[Paintbug]

the diatoms should go away on their own. i wouldnt recommend 10 turbos, as they can get really big. will it happen over night? no, but they will gain about 1 inch per year in dia.. i have one in my 75g thats around 3 inches in dia.. he is always knocking something over. but he does an awesome job keeping the tank clean. i wouldnt put more that 1-2 in per 75g. other wise they may quickly starve. Astraea snails will do a good job cleaning up algae as well, but they are smaller, and dont seem to eat as much as the turbos do. they are a good option as well but it takes more to do the job. just my 2 ¢

your tank conditions should be ready for any kind of clean up you may want to add.

 

[sasscuba]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9419729#post9419729 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ttomkat1
I am not a fan of turbo snails, they are quite clumbsy. If they fall (which the do alot) they can't turn themselves over. Also, they are biggger so they cause me more aquascaping issues.

I like the nassura snails, they are small, but they can get everywhere.

Otherwise, yeah, add a clean up crew...

---ttomkat1

Not true if you get mexican turbos. They can right themselves and do an awesome job at eating algae.