Which is better for cleanup crew?

[Mikro]

Should I be getting more hermits or more snails?

 

[kar93]

I prefer snails because they can climb up the glass aswell where as hermits can't.

 

[katpurdy]

i find that mixing the two isn't a good idea as the hermits kill the snails for the shells...I use snails in the reef tank, and hermits in the fish only tank

 

[Mikro]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12314800#post12314800 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by katpurdy
i find that mixing the two isn't a good idea as the hermits kill the snails for the shells...I use snails in the reef tank, and hermits in the fish only tank

I think your right. The crabs are dood at rooting out the uneaten food given to the fish. I basically have a fowlr except for a leather and a brain coral...

 

[46FiatYamaha]

definitely prefer snails so I don't have a mini civil war with the crabs

 

[downhillbiker]

i have blue leg hermits, scarlet hermits, turbo snails, narcisis snails, sally lightfoot crabs and emerald crabs...and they all get along fine.

 

[black_majik]

I buy extra shells to keep the crabs happy

 

[steve9]

hermits

hermits

reeftopia.com....100 turbos/100sm blue legs/24 cerith....110.00shipp....small blue legs are the most important cleaners...1 per gall at least...1per 2gall for turbos...snail that fall on back are eaten buy snails....no hair with s blue legs

 

[drama07]

Hermits kill snails (speaking from experience) I think the only hermit that doesn't kill is the red scarlet

 

[down and outman]

Astreas are crab fodder. Gave up on them a long time ago. Crabs won't fool with Nassarius, large turbos or banded trocus snails. I have a variety of crabs, some large, and a mix of snails. Every now and then I'll pick up a few more to replenish the stock.
Crabs will attack anything if there's no food for them. My first cleanup crew ate each other as I was told not to feed them. I feed everything and they are happy boys and girls. My tank stays nice and clean.

 

[Bri Guy]

I 2nd what drama07 said, I like snails and red scarlet reef hermits.

 

[FishNFun]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12316321#post12316321 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drama07
Hermits kill snails (speaking from experience) I think the only hermit that doesn't kill is the red scarlet

Regarding the idea that the red scarlet doesn't kill...tell that to my conch! My biggest scarlet decided he really want to upsize and proceeded to kill my conch and take over its shell. It turned out he couldn't pay the mortgage on the conch shell (much too big for him) and he opted to move in to a smaller shell. Once I finish by 120G in-wall, I'm probably going to get rid of my scarlets. They can quickly become predators given the opportunity.