hermit and snail help

[saltydad]

I have a newly-established 90-gallon UniQuarium with live rock and coral sand.
A week ago, I purchased a cleanup crew that included red and blue legged hermit crabs, and turbo and astrea snails. Since then, I have lost at least one hermit and one turbo for unknown reasons--my ammonia and nitrite are zero.
What websites or other resources can I consult for information about these creatures?
I will be purchasing empty hermit crab shells from this site for my guys to grow into. Should I be adding and testing for calcium for the snails, too?

 

[scsinet]

I'll assume since you mentioned readings of ammonia and nitrite that you do understand how to and did properly cycle your tank.
So assuming that, there are two things...
First, hermits and snails sometimes just die. Whenever I throw a handful in, I expect to lose one or two. If the majority of them survived, it's more than likely a fluke.
Second, new tanks sometimes have problems where things just drop dead for no reason. It's called new tank syndrome, and it's caused by levels of things that we don't usually test for going whacko while they stabilize themselves. A tank takes at least 6 months to really settle down and stabilize, and it's entirely possible that this is what's happening.
How did you acclimate the snails and crabs?
If you have live rock and coral sand, there is no need to supplement calcium for just snails. The live rock and sand will provide sufficient calcium. If you are keeping coral that's a different story.

 

[saltydad]

Thanks, SCSInet.
I am sure my tank has cycled.
I acclimated them as well as an ornate goby (sold to me as a marbled blenny) and 2 sandsifting stars by floating them in their bags for fifteen minutes and then pouring in a little bit of water every 5 minutes. After the third addition of tank water, I netted the creatures and put them in the tank. This is what the person at the store recommended.
Do I need to feed the hermits and snails and goby anything extra? They've done a great job with the algae, so there may be less food for them now.
Any other resources you recommend for information?