cycle? will crabs survive?snails/?

[briansreeftank19660426]

i hear people talk about using a few damsels to help cycle tank.. what about hermit crabs? would they survive ? are they hardy? snails? please add thougths thank you

 

[stacy]

Everyone has been talking about you uncooked store shrimp to cycle the tank instead of fish or live creatures. It costs less and you will see an ammonia spike very quickly. I saw my ammonia spike of the chart within 3 days. Crabs and snails I don't believe are as hardy as the damsel.

 

[msb27]

I think the snails and crabs cant handle the nitrites. I THINK I heard that when I cycled.