brown algae and detritus, how many critters are needed?

courtneyclv · 08/27/2006, 04:18 PM

My tank is 80 gallons, over 6 feet long and short.

I constantly have brown algae on my glass and my snails I have now (about 8) hang around on my live rock and not the glass.

I also have some small crabbies (about 6 blue legged I believe) for the sand.

How many more do u suggest to clean up my long windows and sand substrate?

I am thinking that if there are enough snails on my live rock, then some will go towards the the glass instead.

bertoni · 08/27/2006, 04:43 PM

You could look into some Trochus, Stomatella, or cerith snails. I'd probably add 6 of each, if locally available, and see how it goes.

What type of snails are in the tank?

OceanLyons · 08/27/2006, 04:54 PM

I have around 12 nassarius, 15 ceriths, 50 golden astreas, 2 Mexican turbos, and a couple black turbos. The astreas are all over the glass, but don't clean it 100%. I was told that I needed 100 astreas, but I wanted to take it slow. My local group did a group order through www.reeftopia.com They had good prices if you'll have to get a lot of snails. My mexican turbo really sucks up the algae, but he can also knock over stuff if it is not secure.

One more thing...
Hermits are known to kill snails for their shells.

courtneyclv · 08/27/2006, 11:15 PM

Yeah, I know about those darn hermits! I HAD a 4 inch one that was so cute..but he ate about 20 of my snails, several fish, crabs and shrimps. I gave him back to the LFS

I have the tiny tiny ones to clean up some extra food that my dumb roomie put in my tank. (he was suppose to feed my fish every other day while I was away..he fed TWICE a day! ahhhh)

08/27/2006, 04:18 PM	#1
courtneyclv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 188	brown algae and detritus, how many critters are needed? My tank is 80 gallons, over 6 feet long and short. I constantly have brown algae on my glass and my snails I have now (about 8) hang around on my live rock and not the glass. I also have some small crabbies (about 6 blue legged I believe) for the sand. How many more do u suggest to clean up my long windows and sand substrate? I am thinking that if there are enough snails on my live rock, then some will go towards the the glass instead. __________________ Send me a private message if you have any newbie advice to give. ;) Patience is a virtue..that I do not have..but I'm working on it! Current Tank Info: 80 gallon long and short, power filter for 10 gal, fluval 305 canister filter, powerhead, sand substrate,51 lbs live rock, 1 sand sifting sea star, snails,all in display tank. foxface has ich again

08/27/2006, 04:43 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	You could look into some Trochus, Stomatella, or cerith snails. I'd probably add 6 of each, if locally available, and see how it goes. What type of snails are in the tank? __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/27/2006, 04:54 PM	#3
OceanLyons Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,166	I have around 12 nassarius, 15 ceriths, 50 golden astreas, 2 Mexican turbos, and a couple black turbos. The astreas are all over the glass, but don't clean it 100%. I was told that I needed 100 astreas, but I wanted to take it slow. My local group did a group order through www.reeftopia.com They had good prices if you'll have to get a lot of snails. My mexican turbo really sucks up the algae, but he can also knock over stuff if it is not secure. One more thing... Hermits are known to kill snails for their shells. __________________ --- Darlene

08/27/2006, 11:15 PM	#4
courtneyclv Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 188	Yeah, I know about those darn hermits! I HAD a 4 inch one that was so cute..but he ate about 20 of my snails, several fish, crabs and shrimps. I gave him back to the LFS I have the tiny tiny ones to clean up some extra food that my dumb roomie put in my tank. (he was suppose to feed my fish every other day while I was away..he fed TWICE a day! ahhhh) __________________ Send me a private message if you have any newbie advice to give. ;) Patience is a virtue..that I do not have..but I'm working on it! Current Tank Info: 80 gallon long and short, power filter for 10 gal, fluval 305 canister filter, powerhead, sand substrate,51 lbs live rock, 1 sand sifting sea star, snails,all in display tank. foxface has ich again