What kind of snails (or other inverts) do I need?

brodden · 09/24/2007, 08:20 PM

Hey everyone!

I have a 6 month old tank with algea that is progressively getting worse. I have posted two pics below. I know that there is some Cyanobacteria in there and that is because I started out using tap water and I have now done several water changes with distilled water, and will hopefully soon be getting an RO filter. Trust me the red slime was much, much worse than it looks in this pic.

Anyway, I currently have one lawnmover blenny, one scooter blenny, and 3 regular snails (small). The snails and the lawnmower seem to eat some algae most days. The scooter doesn't seem as interested in the algae. I can tell that the algae is slowly getting worse and I'm not sure what inverts I should add to the tank or how many. I was thinking about some mexican turbos, but I read that they actually eat micro algae and I'm not sure that's what I have.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!!

petoonia · 09/24/2007, 08:27 PM

If I were you I would add about 20 snails, 25 hermits, and see how things go from there.

With snails I always try to do a mixture of different types. In my tank I have 1 mexican turbo, about 20 banded trochus snails, 5 regular turbo snails, and about 7 astreas. I also have zebra hermits, scarlet hermits, and dwarf blue leg hermits. With a sand bed you should also get some nassarius snails I would say about 15 or so.

Logzor · 09/24/2007, 08:30 PM

Hey!

What are your tank parameters? Post those and people will be able to identify the problem easier.

Also, how old are your lights and how often do you do water changes (r/o water?)?

Older or improper bulbs can be a cause of algae blooms, as far as I have read.

I am new to reefing so I am just regurgitating what other people normally post in response to algae problems.

Since you seem to have a pretty low bio-load I am guessing that water quality and lighting are the issue. Crabs and snails would probably not solve the problem unless you take care of this.

brodden · 09/24/2007, 08:33 PM

With that many snails should I be concerned about the food supply of algae?

Are there any particular snails or other inverts that would work specifically on the LR?

Thanks.

brodden · 09/24/2007, 08:36 PM

Ok, I have a 54gal corner tank and other than the inverts that I mentioned above I only have two clown fish in the tank right now. I have about 15lbs of LR and thats about it.

The bulbs in the tank are brand new as of about 2 months ago; but the ballast is probably at least 15 years old. I am currently using distilled water to do water changes and I am doing the changes about every 3 weeks to a month.

Quote:

Originally posted by Logzor
Hey!

What are your tank parameters? Post those and people will be able to identify the problem easier.

Also, how old are your lights and how often do you do water changes (r/o water?)?

Older or improper bulbs can be a cause of algae blooms, as far as I have read.

I am new to reefing so I am just regurgitating what other people normally post in response to algae problems.

Since you seem to have a pretty low bio-load I am guessing that water quality and lighting are the issue. Crabs and snails would probably not solve the problem unless you take care of this.

Roger928 · 09/24/2007, 08:37 PM

Also, consider that you may be over feeding. It's really easy to do. Light + excessive nutrients = algae.

Good luck.

brodden · 09/24/2007, 08:40 PM

Is there an easy way to know if the fish are getting enough to eat? The clowns don't always go right for the food so it's hard to see when stop eating...

Quote:

Originally posted by Roger928
Also, consider that you may be over feeding. It's really easy to do. Light + excessive nutrients = algae.

Good luck.

brodden · 09/24/2007, 08:42 PM

Could I be feeding them too often? I feed them every morning with some marine pellets and about 1/2 of a brine shrimp cube...

petoonia · 09/24/2007, 08:46 PM

I would start off with about 15 snails in your tank. You should be able to maintain that many without any problems. Since you only have two clownfish in there I would only add about 5 nassarius snails since they like to eat the leftover food, and fish poop.

I would also add hermit crabs I think they do the best cleanup on the live rock. You could start out with about 10.

You could also try an emerald crab as well.

brodden · 09/24/2007, 08:48 PM

I neglected to mention that I do have 1 emerald crab and three hermits. I didn't realize that they were algae eaters as well...

petoonia · 09/24/2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by brodden
Could I be feeding them too often? I feed them every morning with some marine pellets and about 1/2 of a brine shrimp cube...

You can feed twice a day, but only with very small quantities. The uneaten pelletsq are probably sinking to the bottom, and not getting eaten. Thats where hermits, and nassarius snails come in handy.

petoonia · 09/24/2007, 08:51 PM

The hermits and emerald crab are algae eaters, but they will also clean up uneaten food as well.

Also with hermit crabs make sure you have diferent types, and sizes of empty shells. For them to move into as they grow.

09/24/2007, 08:20 PM	#1
brodden Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Elida, OH Posts: 127	What kind of snails (or other inverts) do I need? Hey everyone! I have a 6 month old tank with algea that is progressively getting worse. I have posted two pics below. I know that there is some Cyanobacteria in there and that is because I started out using tap water and I have now done several water changes with distilled water, and will hopefully soon be getting an RO filter. Trust me the red slime was much, much worse than it looks in this pic. Anyway, I currently have one lawnmover blenny, one scooter blenny, and 3 regular snails (small). The snails and the lawnmower seem to eat some algae most days. The scooter doesn't seem as interested in the algae. I can tell that the algae is slowly getting worse and I'm not sure what inverts I should add to the tank or how many. I was thinking about some mexican turbos, but I read that they actually eat micro algae and I'm not sure that's what I have. Can anyone help? Thanks!!

09/24/2007, 08:27 PM	#2
petoonia HereWeGoAgain... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,648	If I were you I would add about 20 snails, 25 hermits, and see how things go from there. With snails I always try to do a mixture of different types. In my tank I have 1 mexican turbo, about 20 banded trochus snails, 5 regular turbo snails, and about 7 astreas. I also have zebra hermits, scarlet hermits, and dwarf blue leg hermits. With a sand bed you should also get some nassarius snails I would say about 15 or so. __________________ I've been in the hobby for about 10 years....(so I know a little bit)...(but not all that much).... Current Tank Info: 58G. Oceanic (Starphire). Mixed Reef

09/24/2007, 08:33 PM	#4
brodden Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Elida, OH Posts: 127	What about food supply? With that many snails should I be concerned about the food supply of algae? Are there any particular snails or other inverts that would work specifically on the LR? Thanks.

09/24/2007, 08:37 PM	#6
Roger928 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 296	Also, consider that you may be over feeding. It's really easy to do. Light + excessive nutrients = algae. Good luck. __________________ Always quarantine. You never know where that fish has been. Current Tank Info: 90 and 120 mixed reef

09/24/2007, 08:46 PM	#9
petoonia HereWeGoAgain... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,648	I would start off with about 15 snails in your tank. You should be able to maintain that many without any problems. Since you only have two clownfish in there I would only add about 5 nassarius snails since they like to eat the leftover food, and fish poop. I would also add hermit crabs I think they do the best cleanup on the live rock. You could start out with about 10. You could also try an emerald crab as well. __________________ I've been in the hobby for about 10 years....(so I know a little bit)...(but not all that much).... Current Tank Info: 58G. Oceanic (Starphire). Mixed Reef

09/24/2007, 08:30 PM	#3
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Hey! What are your tank parameters? Post those and people will be able to identify the problem easier. Also, how old are your lights and how often do you do water changes (r/o water?)? Older or improper bulbs can be a cause of algae blooms, as far as I have read. I am new to reefing so I am just regurgitating what other people normally post in response to algae problems. Since you seem to have a pretty low bio-load I am guessing that water quality and lighting are the issue. Crabs and snails would probably not solve the problem unless you take care of this.

09/24/2007, 08:42 PM	#8
brodden Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Elida, OH Posts: 127	Could I be feeding them too often? I feed them every morning with some marine pellets and about 1/2 of a brine shrimp cube...

09/24/2007, 08:48 PM	#10
brodden Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Elida, OH Posts: 127	I neglected to mention that I do have 1 emerald crab and three hermits. I didn't realize that they were algae eaters as well... __________________ A "rut" is merely a grave with both ends kicked out. - Zig Ziglar Current Tank Info: 54g SW corner tank, two korali 2's, custom sump (half a trash can :) with a ER-80, 130w compact flourescents

09/24/2007, 08:51 PM	#12
petoonia HereWeGoAgain... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,648	The hermits and emerald crab are algae eaters, but they will also clean up uneaten food as well. Also with hermit crabs make sure you have diferent types, and sizes of empty shells. For them to move into as they grow. __________________ I've been in the hobby for about 10 years....(so I know a little bit)...(but not all that much).... Current Tank Info: 58G. Oceanic (Starphire). Mixed Reef