how many snails is necessary.

[rdhanley]

i have a 125, 55, and 29 gallon tanks. i have some snails in each tank already.
i was thinking of buying 600 Ilyanassa snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) around 1/2" in size to divide between the tanks. i believe these type of snails are debri eaters and sand sifters
i am also wanting to get algae eating ones too,
do you think this is too many snails of this type for the 3 tanks.

 

[earlybird]

I haven't heard of those snails before. I googled them and they are mud snails. I realize that the auction site sells them for cheap but I'd go with a more recognized and proven snail in quantity like the astraea snail for algae removal on glass and rock. For scavengers and sand shifting I'd go with the nassarius snail. Both can be found there in large quantities as well.