What Snails & Hermits??

[9supratt4]

Since my other thread sin't being look at anymore, I figured I'd ask this question as it's own thread.
My neighbor and I are going to go in together on a bulk buy of snails and hermits. Wanted to get everyone's opinions on what I should get.
Hermits - Blue legs?? Or Scarlet Reef?? And why???
Snails - Cerith?? Golden?? Star?? Turbo?? Nerite?? Silky Tegula?? Or Chestnut Turbo?? And why??
I kind of like the idea of the Star snails as they apparently can right themselves if they fall over.
They will be going in a 180 mixed reef. What's everone think??

 

[jrse7en]

I love the nassarius snails! They typically hide under the sand or just lay low all day until you drop some food into the tank then they all conjure towards the middle. They have a great sense of smell and are just full of life. Cerith snails seems to be under the sand or stuck to the glass in my case. Not very entertaining. Astraea snails eat alot and are very effective at removing diatoms and junk from the tank but can't right themselves I hear. I had to flip a couple of these guys over already but they do a great job.
I also have hermits too. The scarlet ones seem to eat more junk and the blue legs seem to be more adventurous climbing things fast and playing with each other. I los have a "red hermit crab" who is pretty big and I love this guy. One minute he's at one side of the tank and next minute he is at the other. He loves to eat and is very entertaining. Today I came home while being out for a little bit and he was sitting on top of my mag-float thingy just chilling there. He was literally 4 inches from the nearest piece of rock, I have no idea how he got there

As far as cleaning your tank goes I would go with a few of each. I like diversity..

 

[peasofme]

the only safe crabs are red legs and scarlets. cerith snails are the hardiest and will go everywhere including under the sand. smaller = more safe. stars will kill all life in your sand. though serpants and brittles are ok but can get aggressive when bigger.

 

[wangotango]

I like to have more snails than hermits personally. I think snails do a better job, and hermits just take the snail's shell.
Trochus, nerite, ceriths, and turbos are all good. Turbos get big.
-Justin

 

[9supratt4]

So I definitely want something to stir up my sand, but also want something that will keep my rocks clean....Will cerith snails and red hermits be enough??

 

[spanko]

Nassarius
Cerith
Nerite
Florida Fighting Conch
Scarlett Reef Hermits
JMO

 

[9supratt4]

Are blue leg hermits safe??
I can get small blue legs for 30-cents each and cerith's for 75-cents each.

 

[spanko]

In my experiences with blue legs, they love cerith shells for their homes. They will kill the snails to take their shells.

 

[9supratt4]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/3170445
In my experiences with blue legs, they love cerith shells for their homes. They will kill the snails to take their shells.
I was afraid of that!! They did that to my nass snails. Hmmmm....what to do....the Scarlet Hermits are a lot more at $2.00 each.

 

[9supratt4]

So will Cerith Snails control algae and detritus on glass, the rock and the sand, all while keeping my sand stirred??

 

[9supratt4]

 

[spanko]

Not so much on the glass. Nerites will get the glass though.

 

[truperc]

IMO the only effective glass clean up crew...is you.
I like the tiger sand conch for cleaning my sand, and I have heard a lot of good feedback on tiger tail cucs.
It is often said, if you have enough empty shells, blue leg, red leg, and scarlet are reef safe.
IMO that depends on whether you have enough empty shells of the kind they like. Just having empty shells of the appropriate size may not be sufficient.
I like to have a diverse CuC, so I do add hermits snails etc.
If I lose some snails, I do not concern myself too much.