snails

[gharner]

:happyfish what are the best snails for algea eating in a nano reef? i had 3 turbos that all died, found out that a bunch back at the lfs died as well. seemed to be a "bad batch". will snails eat corraline algea???? i have some starting to grow on my glass and its kinda hard to get off with the algea magnet.

 

[larryndana]

I don't believe turbos eat coraline algae, but i may be wrong. As far as coraline algae on the glass, you will need to scrap it off....you can by a scrapper, just remember plastic for acrylic and metal for glass. Metal razor will leave scrape marks on the acrylic tanks.
As far as turbos, i believe i read somewhere....one per 10 gallons. Make sure you are acclimating them and they don't like extreme nitrate levels.
I prefer two types, although i've had and still have others.
Cerith Snail and Nassarius Snail- Great for algae on rocks and sand. Bonus: will eat detritus and leftover food.

 

[schadiest1]

I don't think anything out there would eat coralline algae off the glass because it's encrusted on there.
I've had good luck with mexican turbo snails, they mow algae down like it's nothing. Maybe just one in a nano tank though.

 

[steveoutla]

An urchin will clean the coralline off your glass.......but it will also clean it off your rocks.

 

[payton 350]

Astrea snails are real good at cleaning basic algae....nerite are excellent at cleaning micro algae....get about 5 nerite's cuz they are slow but do a good job and about 3 Astrea's ....and usually comes out to the same price as the turbo's....turbo's also like cooler water.....Nass. snails won't eat algae but will eat leftover food and detritus...they also help oxygenate the sand bed

 

[larryndana]

i thought i saw one of my Nassarius eating some algae, maybe not.