Snail snail snails

beaupierce · 08/22/2007, 11:22 AM

So, what are the best type of snails out there?? I have a nice brown level of algea growing in my sand and want toget rid of it. Any ideas?

Mavrk · 08/22/2007, 11:25 AM

trochus and cerith are doing nicely in my tank.

barbra · 08/22/2007, 11:38 AM

The brown on your sand is probably diatoms, which seems to be a hot topic today since there are a couple of threads about them.

Astrea, Cerith, and Trochus are common ones that will eat it. The queen conch is also effective.

ScubaRW4 · 08/22/2007, 11:53 AM

I also just read on another thread that Nerite snails are good and, unlike many other snails (especially Astreas according to that thread), they will easily right themselves when they end up upside down instead of lying there until they die if you don't notice them. Nassarius are good sand-sifters.

barbra · 08/22/2007, 12:33 PM

Sometimes a Nerite will right itself, but not always. I keep a long probe handy because I have to flip one over fairly often when they "jump" off a rock or the glass. Usually if it has been a couple of hours and there is a lot of sand on the snail's foot I know it isn't going to get itself turned so I help it out.

phil519 · 08/22/2007, 03:13 PM

Probably overkill for what you need - but these articles have been a great reference for me. I will personally note that I disagree with his assessment on astreas - I've had mine with no issues for 2 years now...and countless eggs. Still I'm no invertebrate zoologist...

The Grazing Snails, Part I by Dr. Ron Shimek

Part II...Abalones, Nerites...

Part III...Ceriths...

SALT WATER CRAZ · 08/22/2007, 03:21 PM

It all matters on what you want the snails to do. Many snails take care of diffrent things.

bertoni · 08/22/2007, 03:35 PM

Yes, each species has its own diet. I'd add Stomatella to the list. They're nice because they spawn and reproduce in most tanks. The spawning also creates coral food.

beaupierce · 08/22/2007, 08:00 PM

Sweet guys and gals thanks for all the tips

Mavrk · 08/22/2007, 10:03 PM

Some would call the stomatella a pest snail because they reproduce so much. Others call this free food. You decide

Stomatella are common hitchhikers by the way.

ManotheSea · 08/22/2007, 10:04 PM

Use Nassarius snails to stir up the sand bed. Brown algae eating hermits and emerald crab to eat the diatoms.

08/22/2007, 11:22 AM	#1
beaupierce Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nipomo, CA Posts: 419	Snail snail snails So, what are the best type of snails out there?? I have a nice brown level of algea growing in my sand and want toget rid of it. Any ideas?

08/22/2007, 03:13 PM	#6
phil519 Got Rotifers? Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,760	Probably overkill for what you need - but these articles have been a great reference for me. I will personally note that I disagree with his assessment on astreas - I've had mine with no issues for 2 years now...and countless eggs. Still I'm no invertebrate zoologist... The Grazing Snails, Part I by Dr. Ron Shimek Part II...Abalones, Nerites... Part III...Ceriths... __________________ Phil NJ reefers club Current Tank Info: 120 RR Mixed Reef, Custom 40G sump, started Nov 2008. "Are you suggesting that coconuts migrate?"

08/22/2007, 03:35 PM	#8
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	Yes, each species has its own diet. I'd add Stomatella to the list. They're nice because they spawn and reproduce in most tanks. The spawning also creates coral food. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni

08/22/2007, 11:25 AM	#2
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	trochus and cerith are doing nicely in my tank.

08/22/2007, 11:38 AM	#3
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	The brown on your sand is probably diatoms, which seems to be a hot topic today since there are a couple of threads about them. Astrea, Cerith, and Trochus are common ones that will eat it. The queen conch is also effective.

08/22/2007, 11:53 AM	#4
ScubaRW4 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 52	I also just read on another thread that Nerite snails are good and, unlike many other snails (especially Astreas according to that thread), they will easily right themselves when they end up upside down instead of lying there until they die if you don't notice them. Nassarius are good sand-sifters.

08/22/2007, 12:33 PM	#5
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	Sometimes a Nerite will right itself, but not always. I keep a long probe handy because I have to flip one over fairly often when they "jump" off a rock or the glass. Usually if it has been a couple of hours and there is a lot of sand on the snail's foot I know it isn't going to get itself turned so I help it out.

08/22/2007, 03:21 PM	#7
SALT WATER CRAZ Registered Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: michigan Posts: 872	It all matters on what you want the snails to do. Many snails take care of diffrent things.

08/22/2007, 08:00 PM	#9
beaupierce Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Nipomo, CA Posts: 419	Sweet guys and gals thanks for all the tips

08/22/2007, 10:03 PM	#10
Mavrk Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: California - South Bay Area Posts: 2,775	Some would call the stomatella a pest snail because they reproduce so much. Others call this free food. You decide Stomatella are common hitchhikers by the way.

08/22/2007, 10:04 PM	#11
ManotheSea Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: FL Posts: 414	Use Nassarius snails to stir up the sand bed. Brown algae eating hermits and emerald crab to eat the diatoms.