clean-up crew for a 20g+24g

[warr40]

hey everyone........i just got my CUC done for my 5.5g now i need one for my 20g + 24g sump

-i dont thinki want astreas b/c i've had many die on my in the past and hey dont eat the algea in my tank

-i'm goin to have a 2" sand bed so i guess NASS. snails

-i like cerith and nertite snails

-and i dunno the amount and kind of hermits that i should get

plz help me out

P.S my tank didnt start cycling yet so I have time lol

[frederickk]

With your tank size I would only go with nassarius. It will be benefic for your sand and glass.

[warr40]

no hermits?

[frederickk]

I don't really like hermits as they are opportunistic and will kill your other snails. Also they tend to be less effective compare to snails as for cleaning efficiency.

Cerith snails are pretty good too.

[warr40]

yea i think i'm gonna do a cerith and NASS mix with some nertite
but i dunno how many and what ratio??

[frederickk]

I would start with 10 of each and see if there's any change in a week or two.

[warr40]

thats sounds good........should i get anything for my sump/fuge

[frederickk]

The only thing I did put in mine is a mexican turbo snail. My fuge is a 33g tank. It get clean really fast.

[warr40]

i c........do stars/slugs/etc. help at all

[frederickk]

They can but I doubt they would have enough to eat in your fuge. I wouldn't put one in there.

[warr40]

ok

[saltman123]

I have a 12 gallon and have added clean up crew it 2 phases.

The first time I added:
2 Nassarius snails (jumbo)
3 Cerith Snails
3 Blue leg hermits
1 scarlet reef red leg hermit

The second time I added:
5 super small Nassarius snails
3 turbo snails

So all in all I have:
4 Hermits
7 Nassarius Snails
3 Cerith Snails
3 Turbo Snails.

I would say my tank still has room.

I would vote to get a few hermits. I've heard people saying they may harm but mine have not at all. I watch them sometimes go over the zoos but they do not eat them. I actually like it because they keep the zoos active:)

I also have a cleaner shrimp that is a little entertainer.

[goulashriot]

i would suggest getting some hermits, they are great a getting leftovers the snails cant get to.

they are only opportunistic/kill snails if there arn't any extra shells for them to move into as they grow, just go to your local aquarium store and ask if you can have some empty cerith snail shells out of the tanks, they seem to prefer those shells opposed to others.

[warr40]

so mayb 10 nass. 10 cerith and 10 nertite and 5 hermits?

[saltman123]

I've never had any nerite snails. Depending on if you get the giant nass, or teeny ones would make a difference. I have 2 that are giant, and 5 that are teeny tiny. If you are getting small ones, go for 10, if giants, go for 6 or so. I would say that 30 snail all together may be a lot...but I don't truly know. I've only been in the game for 3+ months.

I have 4 hermits in my 12 gallon and they seem to get along for the most part.

[frederickk]

If you go with hermits you can put a few empty shells on your sand bed just in case your hermits would like to have a new home.

[warr40]

ok i c