self sustaining cleanup crew

[reefman77]

ive been getting tired of constantly replacing the snails that die in my 120 BB SPS tank and was wondering if anyone has a tank that has there snails reproducing at a rate where they rarely or never need to purchase more snails to clean the tank. If so how many snails do you have?

I remember seeing a TOTM awhile back that said he never replaced his snails. i just dont remember which one. im pretty sure it was a reeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaly big tank too.

 

[dodgersfan25]

well snails do reproduce and people have it happen in their tanks all the time, BUT the problem is having the offspring survive. they are almost surely eaten before they can grow big enough to live on their own

i guess if you took the snail eggs out right when they are laid and put them in a separate tank, its possible

 

[tanker]

Re: self sustaining cleanup crew

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11065449#post11065449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefman77
ive been getting tired of constantly replacing the snails that die.

How long are they living??

 

[Piscator]

If this is happening (snail reproduction and replacement) I think it is pretty rare.

If your snails are dying off at an abnormally high rate I would question what is going on. Maybe consider getting them from a different source, review acclimation procedure, parameters, etc.

What snails have you tried?

 

[uscharalph]

Do you have hermit crabs?

 

[flameangel88]

I think hermit crabs ate most of the snails and baby snails survive only a couple of days before they disappear.

 

[kawicivic]

I've seen people with ceriths that reproduce so much that they can sell them off by the dozen every few months. I believe they are from wisconsin, but don't recall a user name.

 

[Python73]

Two BIG reasons for snail deaths:

- wrong / inappropriate snails
- crabs, hermit or otherwise

You might be shocked at the number of snails commonly sold in our hobby that are actually suitable for reef tanks. That means NOT inter-tidal (climb out of the tank) and MUST be tropical (~80 degrees farenheit). Many, many wrong snails being sold.

As far as crabs, hermits included - they are all snail eaters when the opportunity arises.

S !

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11065449#post11065449 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefman77
ive been getting tired of constantly replacing the snails that die in my 120 BB SPS tank and was wondering if anyone has a tank that has there snails reproducing at a rate where they rarely or never need to purchase more snails to clean the tank. If so how many snails do you have?

I remember seeing a TOTM awhile back that said he never replaced his snails. i just dont remember which one. im pretty sure it was a reeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaly big tank too.

Stomatella will form a self sustaining population in most reef aquariums.
Lots of folks have 'em.

 

[reefman77]

most of my snails only last about 6 mounths. I use turbo, astrea, and cerith

 

[Frick-n-Frags]

you should get 2 years out of a snail.

I seem to recall that my nerite snails would collect just above the waterline sometimes

Strombus snails reproduce pretty well. I had some going for a while, but they are really small and don't do the same job as astreas or even ceriths.

 

[!wrass!]

I started out with one or two Stomatella snails as hitchhikers. I can easily count 75 in my 20-gallon tank. There are new babies showing up all the time. I have another very small species that is doing better than the Stomatellas. There are hundreds of them. They are maybe 1-1.5mm across. not identified.

I am, however, fishless so they have a really good chance at surviving while smaller.