what kind & how many?

[iluvfish]

I'm just starting out with my 55gal - 4inch DBS, 100lb LR aquarium. Currently have about 5 snails, and 5 crabs. Also have 2 sandshifting starfish. I'm wondering how many more should I get or need and what kind?? - Thanks!

 

[aarone]

This is a good idea,
15 nassaurius snails.
10 cerith snails.
20 turbos or astrea snails.
10 red legs hermits.

 

[dacia]

Also don't forget to add lots of extra shells for your hermits, becuase they will go after your snails if you don't.
I would also recommend a fighting conch. They are a nice addition to any sandbed. IMHO.

 

[michaeltx]

I would rething the sand sifters in that small a tank they can deplete a tanks sand dwelling creature population quick and with 2 in that size they might even starve in time from the lack of food.
but I agree with the above recomendations and add to as you see the need for them. just remember when you start adding not to add some many that the food is eaten to quickly or a lot of them will die off from lack of food.
Mike

 

[iluvfish]

Originally posted by Dacia
Also don't forget to add lots of extra shells for your hermits, becuase they will go after your snails if you don't.
What do you mean? And what kind of shells?

 

[angelofish]

As the hermits grow theyll change shells.

 

[iluvfish]

Where do I get more shells? Can you get them at LFS?

 

[angelofish]

They might. Some online sw stores that sell hermits have them too. If a snail dies in your tank you can use the shell too.

 

[steelchromis]

Ask someone at your LFS for some spare shells. I did, and they gave some to me.

 

[dacia]

When I buy my cleaning crew for my new nano reef, I am going to get them from here. I think they offer a hundred empty shells really cheap.

 

[aarone]

i got my empty shelles from the LFS LR tank. They have a ton of empty shells. But yours might be different.
aaron