snails and hermits

[jamest0o0]

How many snails and hermits should I have in a 55 gal reef? any certain kinds?

 

[demonsp]

After cycle is over add a few like 2 hermits 2 margeritas.Wait a week or two and if readings are good then add a fish or coral then wait and add some nass nails and another fish or coral. Monitor readings and algea growth and adjust stock from there.

 

[JENnKerry]

We always went heavy on our cleanup crew in our 55. Somewhere about 2-3 of each per gallon of water. THey did a great job.

 

[IHOP]

I once heard some one say if you can count how many snails you have you dont have enough.

 

[JENnKerry]

Thats a good point

 

[Savas]

I have two per gallon and vary the type of snail and hermit crab depending on what is on sale. I have about 25 narr. snails that I bought for $0.20 each. I also have two brittle stars that are the best clean up crew I have, but they do not touch algae.

 

[JENnKerry]

Tuxedo Urchins are great for algae, including coralline.

 

[iwishtofish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11674812#post11674812 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by IHOP
I once heard some one say if you can count how many snails you have you dont have enough.

I also heard it is easy to overstock and starve a cleanup crew! I started small, and added a few more when I felt that what I had wasn't quite up to the task.