Update on 72 bowfront w/ question

[jerseyguy]

So, I would like to thank everyone who helped me get started....tank looks great. Needs some more rock though, which I will be adding. I got a little worried though, there was an algae outbreak, but the cleanup crew took care of that in a week and a half. I was amazed at the difference as I hadnt seen the tank in a few days after being away.
I am however concerned about one thing, thee have been a number of snail and crab deaths, probably about 10 outta 60. The nitrates are low, but I didnt get a chance to test for anything else as I bought that stupid red sea test kit.
I also noticed some brown on the ground, but that seems related to the tap water...i know i know, im getting an RO unit.
I also cannot seem to find my peppermint shrimp, but they are tiny, I bought them from this site...my cleaner shrimp is doing well however. well any idea or suggestions would be appreciated. I have 4 powerheads in the tank a fluval 440, and an aqua c skimmer.
btw my yellow tang looooves the rio 820 powerhead, he goes swimming in the force of it all the time and seems to flip over....he loves it lol

 

[kdfrosty]

What is your salinity like?

 

[snipe]

Were did you get the rock? Have you heard any popping noises come from the tank? May be a mantis shrimp eating your critters.

 

[jerseyguy]

salinty is 1.26/1.27...so thats not the problem, how big would a mantis shrimp be? the crbas from this site are very small...a few of them died in shipment, so its possible a few died from the new enviornment and shock or whatever...i found some larger hermits at *****, but i am reluctant to buy them as i think they will eat the other snails/crabs.
i am going to have the water further tested by the lfs....and ill keep my eye on the tank and hopefully there are no more losses, as perhaps this was all in the first few days or so

 

[beth]

Likely starved to death. If you have 60 snails in a newly setup tank, I can guarantee that you just do not have enough food in there to support them.
You'd be surprised what just a few will do, wo the death count.

 

[jerseyguy]

thats possible, but there was a significant amount of algae, what should I be feeding them anyway? The snails and crabs.

 

[snipe]

Flake food works or a peice of meat. Depending on the species of snail algae works.