Can I add Snails?

highseraphim · 09/06/2006, 07:15 PM

Hello,

I have a 20g tank and am using 20 lbs of live rock, a skimmer, and canister filter.

My tank has been cycling for a month now and I was wondering if I am able to ad a snail and fire shrimp to clean up some of the algae that is accumulating all over the rock?

I have also noticed a few fireworms. Should I get rid of them or can I leave them be? I will not be getting any coral for a long time.

Thanks for any suggestions

Jeff

nmprisons · 09/06/2006, 07:24 PM

if your ammonia and nitrate are zero, you can definately add a clean-up crew (Snails, hermits, mithrix crab, etc.). I wouldn't count on the fire shrimp to eat your algae though and one snail won't do much in a tank your size (I would get a dozen or so of mixed species)

Paintbug · 09/06/2006, 07:32 PM

are you using a sandbed? how deep is it?

dont worry about the bristleworms, they are an important part of the clean-up crew.

RBomm · 09/07/2006, 07:39 AM

Make sure your Am, Nitrites and Nitrates are 0 for about a week before adding your cleanup crew. Don't worry about the algae, a few snails will eat most of the algae.

highseraphim · 09/07/2006, 01:48 PM

Hello,

I have a 20g tank that is into its 5th week of cycling and there is a lot of green algae covering the 20 lbs of live rock. Is it ok if I introduce some snails to the tank to do some cleaning up?

Jeff

drummereef · 09/07/2006, 01:51 PM

Are you testing? Make sure the cycle is completely over before adding the inverts. They are quite sensitive.

romunov · 09/07/2006, 02:13 PM

The Grazing Snails, Part I - Turbo, Trochus, Astraea, and Kin
The Grazing Snails, Part II - Abalones, Limpets and Nerites
The Grazing Snails, Part III - Conchs, Ceriths, Cowries, and Columbellids
What snails to get

WaterKeeper · 09/07/2006, 02:16 PM

My guess Jeff is you can. Usually when the algae bloom starts there is no ammonia and the large amount of algae would uptake any free ammonia formed anyway. Snail away.

09/06/2006, 07:15 PM	#1
highseraphim Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 27	Can I add snails?? Hello, I have a 20g tank and am using 20 lbs of live rock, a skimmer, and canister filter. My tank has been cycling for a month now and I was wondering if I am able to ad a snail and fire shrimp to clean up some of the algae that is accumulating all over the rock? I have also noticed a few fireworms. Should I get rid of them or can I leave them be? I will not be getting any coral for a long time. Thanks for any suggestions Jeff

09/06/2006, 07:24 PM	#2
nmprisons Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,520	if your ammonia and nitrate are zero, you can definately add a clean-up crew (Snails, hermits, mithrix crab, etc.). I wouldn't count on the fire shrimp to eat your algae though and one snail won't do much in a tank your size (I would get a dozen or so of mixed species) __________________ 25gallon tank up and cycling since 7/29/06 Mostly LPS reef (lords, micros, duncans, etc.) with some ricordia florida and zoanthids. Current Tank Info: 25 gallon, 28lbs of Marshall Island and Kaelini Live Rock, 2x65 power compact lighting, IFS Protein Skimmer

09/06/2006, 07:32 PM	#3
Paintbug Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Stoneville, NC Posts: 6,169	are you using a sandbed? how deep is it? dont worry about the bristleworms, they are an important part of the clean-up crew. __________________ Never ask a girl over to see your crabs!! <-Tony-> Current Tank Info: NONE currently

09/07/2006, 07:39 AM	#4
RBomm Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 59	Make sure your Am, Nitrites and Nitrates are 0 for about a week before adding your cleanup crew. Don't worry about the algae, a few snails will eat most of the algae. __________________ 175 gal BF; FOWLR 200lbs live rock AGA sump MTC 250 in sump skimmer. Blueline 40 HDX return pump 1000 gal/hour (2) 36" Nova Extreme T5 (300 watts)

09/07/2006, 01:48 PM	#5
highseraphim Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 27	Can I add Snails? Hello, I have a 20g tank that is into its 5th week of cycling and there is a lot of green algae covering the 20 lbs of live rock. Is it ok if I introduce some snails to the tank to do some cleaning up? Jeff

09/07/2006, 01:51 PM	#6
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Are you testing? Make sure the cycle is completely over before adding the inverts. They are quite sensitive.

09/07/2006, 02:13 PM	#7
romunov Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,453	The Grazing Snails, Part I - Turbo, Trochus, Astraea, and Kin The Grazing Snails, Part II - Abalones, Limpets and Nerites The Grazing Snails, Part III - Conchs, Ceriths, Cowries, and Columbellids What snails to get __________________ Life is too short to learn everything from experience. "And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free."

09/07/2006, 02:16 PM	#8
WaterKeeper Bogus Information Expert Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 16,147	My guess Jeff is you can. Usually when the algae bloom starts there is no ammonia and the large amount of algae would uptake any free ammonia formed anyway. Snail away. __________________ "Leading the information hungry reefer down the road to starvation" Tom Current Tank Info: 130 Now out of service and a 29