|
|
Post by Matt in Lewiston on Feb 5, 2014 20:11:07 GMT -5
Does anyone out there go astrea free? I would love to phase them out, it's really annoying having to flip them over all the time. I noticed reefcleaners.org doesn't even offer them, so it makes me wonder if they are even needed? I tried experimenting with a couple nerite snails, they all either died right off, or eventually climbed out of the tank and died that way.
|
|
|
|
Post by ryansweatt2004 on Feb 5, 2014 20:28:37 GMT -5
Astraea snails are a complete waste of hobbyists money! Many stores sell thousands of these snails as a cheap gimmick to get you in the door to spend more money every few weeks. Banded trochus snails are much better snails to keep. They are stronger and faster so that hermits can't usually grab them. 90% of the time they can flip themselves over! even on sand. They cost a bit more but when you figure in not having to flip them over all the time or replace them often it's well worth the extra expense. www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=497+526+564&pcatid=564 |
|
|
|
Post by doverdoug on Feb 5, 2014 20:34:56 GMT -5
I ordered a snail only cleanup crew from reefcleaners and got at least 50 extra snails. Better yet, this was in december and it was below freezing that week. Currently I have snails up the wazoo.
|
|
|
|
Post by Matt in Lewiston on Feb 5, 2014 20:39:12 GMT -5
I am planning to order from reef cleaners soon, mostly because of good prices, and the chitons they sell. Also adding hermits for the first time, currently only have 1 that was shipped with some snails.
Side note, I have a periwinkle snail I got diving in Maine over the summer, it's been a terrific snail for my tank!
|
|
|
|
Post by jess on Feb 5, 2014 21:36:36 GMT -5
No astreas here. I collect wild snails and slowly acclimate. They survive for a lot longer then one would think. Still have a few left from last summer. And I get Nassarious, no blue legs, only scarlet hermits
Sent from my HTC ONE
|
|
|
|
Post by Matt in Lewiston on Feb 5, 2014 21:52:43 GMT -5
Why no blue legs? That's what I was looking to get mostly.
|
|
|
|
Post by jess on Feb 5, 2014 22:18:06 GMT -5
The only ones I've had and been ok with are the super tiny ones you can get from reef cleaners. The bigger ones seem like they just irritate things and eat snails and sometimes coral more then anything else. Plus the bigger ones steal all the food from my coral.
Sent from my HTC ONE
|
|
|
|
Post by gotareef on Feb 6, 2014 0:05:03 GMT -5
I love my star astreas they flip themselves back over
|
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Feb 6, 2014 7:57:50 GMT -5
Hermits(all colors) astrea snails and nassirous snails is all I ever put in my tank and they seem to be fine. And all of them clean my tank all night like a cleaning service! I have noticed that some hermits can be butt heads but anytime I see them being butt heads and picking corals or killing snails, I pick them out and toss them in the sump for a week or two time out! Then I put them back in the tank and if they do it again there out for good!  |
|
|
|
Post by Pokahpolice on Feb 6, 2014 9:51:06 GMT -5
My last tank was just about snail free. I had a few but not even close to what 'you're told' to have.
I think most people go with the recommendations from Reef Cleaners which is complete overkill. My first tank I had no clue so I went with the recommended package for the tank size from reef cleaners. I had so many snails it was ridiculous! I would find them on the floor in the morning. My wife asked me why I set up a 65 gallon snail tank. I had a tank with 6 million snails, a hundred crabs and enough green hair algae to feed 6 million more.
|
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Feb 6, 2014 10:31:38 GMT -5
The only real trick with cleaners is you have to get the cleaners you "Need" for the specific type of algae you have at the time.
I say at the time because 3 months later you may have different algae problems in your tank and then you need some different cleaners to do the job! At least I believe this is the most effective way. Allot of people don't realize different cleaners like/love different types of algae and will do a more efficient job if they like that algae.
Never ending cycle, luckily within 3 months you've probably lost some of your cleaning crew so it'll be time for a few new ones anyways!
|
|
|
|
Post by Pokahpolice on Feb 6, 2014 10:38:27 GMT -5
The only real trick with cleaners is you have to get the cleaners you "Need" for the specific type of algae you have at the time. I say at the time because 3 months later you may have different algae problems in your tank and then you need some different cleaners to do the job! At least I believe this is the most effective way. Allot of people don't realize different cleaners like/love different types of algae and will do a more efficient job if they like that algae. Never ending cycle, luckily within 3 months you've probably lost some of your cleaning crew so it'll be time for a few new ones anyways! Couldn't agree more. My first tank went through some interesting cycles. The green hair algae was annoying because the complete overkill of a cleaner crew I had wouldn't touch it. I was pulling it out by the bucket. |
|
|
|
Post by jasonandsarah on Feb 6, 2014 10:55:59 GMT -5
You should of had like 2 urchins!! They're beast when it comes to hair algae! And every other kind of algae! Lol
|
|
|
|
Post by oceangirl2009 on Feb 6, 2014 11:04:05 GMT -5
+1 go with red legs, some blue legs can be prone to eat coral, but I've had both with no problems though given the choice I go red.
|
|
|
|
Post by Matt in Lewiston on Feb 7, 2014 0:45:46 GMT -5
Are "red legs" and "scarlet" different?
|
|
