SWF says Mexican Turbo snails are adept at mowing down Cyanobacteria... but

[hairtrigger]

I have heard two LFS employees insist that cyano will kill a mexican turbo snail. I tried to explain that some snails serve different purposes, but they refused to listen. They insisted that they know everything about being a reefer, and their opinion was fact.
What do yall think about the snails? Can they maintain cyano? I know you arent supposed to have it, but in case?

 

[wamp]

They will eat it. Not very good at it but I have seen them eat it.

 

[hairtrigger]

I figured as much. That's why I come to this board for information, instead of the argumentative, preteen, rude, LFS employees.

 

[bang guy]

Cyano won't kill a snail. It will steal nutrients from Diatoms though... so a Diatom muncher like a Turbo may starve during an Cyano outbreak.

 

[hairtrigger]

Hmmmm, I see. So, if there is other food, like algae, it wouldnt starve. But, would it even eat cyano if it has other choices?

 

[bang guy]

Not in my opinion. But of course these are unpredictible animals. Queen Conch are the most active in eating Cyano that I've seen, but they can get rather large.

 

[hairtrigger]

Queen conch huh? Are they extremely reef safe? I mean, as far as having a DSB, and corals on the substrate, etc? I am trying to design a crew to maintain most possible problems. Just to be on the safe side and all.

 

[wrassecal]

I have 2 queen conchs to help keep the sand bed clean. The do a great job. I bought them at about 1/2 inch, about 4 months ago. One has grown to about 1 inch and the other about 1 1/2 inch. I know they can get really big, but it seems like it takes a really long time. I can't get the fighting conchs around here that stay small.They are reef safe assuming they aren't too large.
I have never seen any of my turbos touch cyano. JME

 

[dinhouse]

In my experiance with them(snails) and the stuff (Cyno) it is a hit and mis I have four nice size mexican turbos. Two of them will eat the stuf like there is no tommorow but the other two smaller ones really could care less about the stuff.

 

[reef fool]

I have several types of snails and none of them did a noticable job on cyano in my tank when I had an outbreak. The best was definitely fighting conches.