Lazy Astreas

dous · 06/06/2006, 01:33 PM

Hi folks,

Yesterday I got a crew of custodians to help with my algae bloom following the cylce of my 55g. With these came 3 Mexican Turbos, 3 Astreas and 3 Hermits.

The hermits work really hard from dthe time I put them in as I can see (after 2 hours acclimation)... The Turbos worked hard the first day but is now slowing down a bit. My Astreas, however, raced (oxymoron) towards the top of the tank and stayed there the whole time. They're still there but they're not really doing much. Did I get lazy snails or are they just sleeping? There's enough work to be done (meaning, there's enough algae to eat) and I'm worried there's something wrong.

Water parameters are:
1.025 SG
ammonia 0
calcium 340 (going up every other day)
pH 8.1
nitrites 0ppm
nitrates 0ppm

Also, I got a cleaner shrimp and a serpent star with the package and was wondering if I need to feed them at all. Right now there are all kinds of pods swimming around. Do I need to suppliment their diet?

Thanks!

Paintbug · 06/06/2006, 01:52 PM

sounds like they are just getting used to your tank. how did you acclimate them? the best way to acclimate snails is to take them out of the bag and place them on a dish. let them dry for about 5-15mins(depends on who you ask) then place them at the water line of your tank. they will acclimate themselves.

the rest of you clean up crew will feed themselves. they are all scavengers.

dous · 06/06/2006, 04:17 PM

i actually did the drip method as suggested by the LFS. I did so (all of the gang) in a bucket with heater for 2 hrs... the turbos and hermits are at it again as we speak.. Lazy Astreas still!! You're fired!!! You're all f*ck*n' fired!!! LOL

mikeadams1985 · 06/06/2006, 04:40 PM

drop some brine shrimp in there.
My snails go nuts when i drop food in the tank.

they all bury themselves in the sand and wont move for days unless i put food in, then the move like crazy the fastest snails ive ever seen.

whiteshark · 06/06/2006, 04:44 PM

My astreas do the same thing. They will eat, just not nearly as much as the turbos. I wouldn't worry about em.

dous · 06/06/2006, 05:41 PM

Do I have enough crew in my tank, though? I have 3 Mexican Turbos, 3 Astreas, 3 Hermits, a cleaner shrimp and a serpent star. What do you guys think I need more of? I'm thinking of getting a peppermint and a blood red shrimp. Anything else?

whiteshark · 06/06/2006, 06:08 PM

I have like 15 turbos, 15 astreas and 15-20 hermits in my 90 gal. They do a wonderful job. I would add a few more turbos and astreas if I were you. The hermits get kind of aggressive if you don't provide enough shells for them. I would shoot for 25-50 or more cleaners.

Paintbug · 06/06/2006, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dous
i actually did the drip method as suggested by the LFS. I did so (all of the gang) in a bucket with heater for 2 hrs... the turbos and hermits are at it again as we speak.. Lazy Astreas still!! You're fired!!! You're all f*ck*n' fired!!! LOL

i used to drip snails as well. some of the snails would always die. Dr. Ron told me about the method above. i havent lost one since due to acclimation.

i would add about 15-20 more Astreas. maybe 5 at a time or atleast no more than theres algae for them to eat. and if you have a sandbed add some ceriths, and/or true nassarius snails. i wouldnt add to many more hermits, i dont really have a problem with mine, but they are known to kill a snail once in a while. Turbos get really big, and will start knocking things around once they do so i dont really like them. but they do a great job of algae control.

06/06/2006, 01:33 PM	#1
dous Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Newmarket, Canada Posts: 352	Lazy Astreas Hi folks, Yesterday I got a crew of custodians to help with my algae bloom following the cylce of my 55g. With these came 3 Mexican Turbos, 3 Astreas and 3 Hermits. The hermits work really hard from dthe time I put them in as I can see (after 2 hours acclimation)... The Turbos worked hard the first day but is now slowing down a bit. My Astreas, however, raced (oxymoron) towards the top of the tank and stayed there the whole time. They're still there but they're not really doing much. Did I get lazy snails or are they just sleeping? There's enough work to be done (meaning, there's enough algae to eat) and I'm worried there's something wrong. Water parameters are: 1.025 SG ammonia 0 calcium 340 (going up every other day) pH 8.1 nitrites 0ppm nitrates 0ppm Also, I got a cleaner shrimp and a serpent star with the package and was wondering if I need to feed them at all. Right now there are all kinds of pods swimming around. Do I need to suppliment their diet? Thanks! __________________ -------------------- dous Current Tank Info: 55g reef, custom 300g in planning stages

06/06/2006, 01:52 PM	#2
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	sounds like they are just getting used to your tank. how did you acclimate them? the best way to acclimate snails is to take them out of the bag and place them on a dish. let them dry for about 5-15mins(depends on who you ask) then place them at the water line of your tank. they will acclimate themselves. the rest of you clean up crew will feed themselves. they are all scavengers. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

06/06/2006, 04:17 PM	#3
dous Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Newmarket, Canada Posts: 352	i actually did the drip method as suggested by the LFS. I did so (all of the gang) in a bucket with heater for 2 hrs... the turbos and hermits are at it again as we speak.. Lazy Astreas still!! You're fired!!! You're all fckn' fired!!! LOL __________________ -------------------- dous Current Tank Info: 55g reef, custom 300g in planning stages

06/06/2006, 04:44 PM	#5
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	My astreas do the same thing. They will eat, just not nearly as much as the turbos. I wouldn't worry about em. __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.

06/06/2006, 05:41 PM	#6
dous Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Newmarket, Canada Posts: 352	Do I have enough crew in my tank, though? I have 3 Mexican Turbos, 3 Astreas, 3 Hermits, a cleaner shrimp and a serpent star. What do you guys think I need more of? I'm thinking of getting a peppermint and a blood red shrimp. Anything else? __________________ -------------------- dous Current Tank Info: 55g reef, custom 300g in planning stages

06/06/2006, 04:40 PM	#4
mikeadams1985 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: liverpool, UK Posts: 123	drop some brine shrimp in there. My snails go nuts when i drop food in the tank. they all bury themselves in the sand and wont move for days unless i put food in, then the move like crazy the fastest snails ive ever seen.

06/06/2006, 06:08 PM	#7
whiteshark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bethlehem, PA Posts: 3,024	I have like 15 turbos, 15 astreas and 15-20 hermits in my 90 gal. They do a wonderful job. I would add a few more turbos and astreas if I were you. The hermits get kind of aggressive if you don't provide enough shells for them. I would shoot for 25-50 or more cleaners. __________________ Deep Blue 60 gallon cube: Setup in progress.