When can I add snails and Hermit Crabs?

jubbilee555 · 05/22/2018, 12:30 AM

I took my coworkers established reef tank a week ago. I'm having a brown algae/diatom problem so I'm assuming it's going through a mini cycle? There are some snails and hermit crabs currently that are trying their best but it's pretty unsightly.

I was wanting to add more invertebrates at some point anyway but now especially with the brown algae outbreak, can/should I add more now? Or should I just keep scrubbing it off and wait it out...

PS Feeding EOD, running a refugium, using tapwater that sits out for 1-2 days (I've read about ro/di and would consider in the future but not in the budget at the moment). I've also read about using either vinegar or vodka but there's sponge growing in the tank and as I understand it may have a negative effect on that? Tank currently has 2 tangs, 1 clown, 3 chromies, couple of cleaner shrimp, snails, hermies and a few lps corals.

RobZilla04 · 05/22/2018, 04:48 AM

Welcome!

What does your gut tell you? A cycle has nothing to do with algae or diatoms. You need to know the ammonia and nitrite levels. When you say you "took" the tank, exactly how did you take it? Was everything removed to transport?

Uncle99 · 05/22/2018, 06:13 AM

Tap water should not be used, you’ll spend 50 times the cost of an RODI unit controlling algae.
Reef tanks require this.

mcgyvr · 05/22/2018, 06:22 AM

Some algae/diatoms should be expected and tolerated in a new tank or a tank post move..
Provided you keep up with proper maintenance it will typically go away..

Do you have test kits?
IF so please post results from every one you have..
Nitrate? ammonia? nitrites?

There is no problem carbon dosing with sponges in a tank either

oldhead · 05/22/2018, 12:43 PM

You are definitely going to need the rodi. You have two options until you get the unit to make your own. You can buy the rodi or you can buy premade saltwater for water changes. Remember you have to top off your evaporation with rodi not saltwater. As for adding the snails, you can probably add them now as long as there is no ammonia. I had hermits and snails survive a month long cycle when I upgraded to a larger tank. Ammonia wasn't present for more than a day or two, but nirites were high for awhile.

lapin · 05/22/2018, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jubbilee555

I took my coworkers established reef tank a week ago. I'm having a brown algae/diatom problem so I'm assuming it's going through a mini cycle? There are some snails and hermit crabs currently that are trying their best but it's pretty unsightly.

I was wanting to add more invertebrates at some point anyway but now especially with the brown algae outbreak, can/should I add more now? Or should I just keep scrubbing it off and wait it out....

If the tank was lookin good when your co worker had it, you should ask what was being done to keep it lookin good. My guess is that if you are following the same regiment and you have the ugly stuff, then by moving it ,you disturbed some of the bacterial balance. it should pass as time goes on.

scooter31707 · 05/23/2018, 10:01 AM

IMO, I would leave out the hermit crabs. IME, they will kill off snails for their shells.

MattTheFishNerd · 05/23/2018, 10:14 AM

if there's no ammonia or nitrite showing up when you test, then go right ahead with snails or hermits. The diatoms will go away in time. If you can't test yourself, your local fish store should be able to test it for you.

I also have had my hermits kill my snails for their shells. In my case it was a black legged hermit killing a nassarius snail.

jubbilee555 · 05/25/2018, 07:11 PM

I'm looking into one of the lower end rodi systems on Amazon (around$100 CAD) which i know isn't the best but should be better than tap at least.

I had my water tested at my LFS and everything is normal except for slightly increased nitrates. Changed the direction of some of the powerheads, dimmed the lights a little, and have been diligent about siphoning and dusting. It's looking a bit better algae wise.

Do i need to wait until everything is normal before i add more snails or hermies?? If i had to choose one over the other i prefer the hermit crabs but are the snails more beneficial?

05/22/2018, 12:30 AM	#1
jubbilee555 Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 2	When can I add snails and Hermit Crabs? I took my coworkers established reef tank a week ago. I'm having a brown algae/diatom problem so I'm assuming it's going through a mini cycle? There are some snails and hermit crabs currently that are trying their best but it's pretty unsightly. I was wanting to add more invertebrates at some point anyway but now especially with the brown algae outbreak, can/should I add more now? Or should I just keep scrubbing it off and wait it out... PS Feeding EOD, running a refugium, using tapwater that sits out for 1-2 days (I've read about ro/di and would consider in the future but not in the budget at the moment). I've also read about using either vinegar or vodka but there's sponge growing in the tank and as I understand it may have a negative effect on that? Tank currently has 2 tangs, 1 clown, 3 chromies, couple of cleaner shrimp, snails, hermies and a few lps corals.

05/22/2018, 04:48 AM	#2
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	Welcome! What does your gut tell you? A cycle has nothing to do with algae or diatoms. You need to know the ammonia and nitrite levels. When you say you "took" the tank, exactly how did you take it? Was everything removed to transport? __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

05/22/2018, 06:22 AM	#4
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Some algae/diatoms should be expected and tolerated in a new tank or a tank post move.. Provided you keep up with proper maintenance it will typically go away.. Do you have test kits? IF so please post results from every one you have.. Nitrate? ammonia? nitrites? There is no problem carbon dosing with sponges in a tank either __________________ Who me?

05/23/2018, 10:14 AM	#8
MattTheFishNerd Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 6	if there's no ammonia or nitrite showing up when you test, then go right ahead with snails or hermits. The diatoms will go away in time. If you can't test yourself, your local fish store should be able to test it for you. I also have had my hermits kill my snails for their shells. In my case it was a black legged hermit killing a nassarius snail. __________________ Ignore me if you want, I’m just some 16 y/o who loves his reef. 10g FR 2006-2011 • 36g FR 2011-2017 • 32g BioCube 2018-Present Current Tank Info: 32 Gallon BioCube w/ gross stock lights and Coral Life skimmer, 2 Clowns, Royal Gramma, Pygmy Dwarf Angel, Watchman Goby

05/22/2018, 06:13 AM	#3
Uncle99 Crab Free Zone Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,906	Tap water should not be used, you’ll spend 50 times the cost of an RODI unit controlling algae. Reef tanks require this.

05/22/2018, 12:43 PM	#5
oldhead Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 527	You are definitely going to need the rodi. You have two options until you get the unit to make your own. You can buy the rodi or you can buy premade saltwater for water changes. Remember you have to top off your evaporation with rodi not saltwater. As for adding the snails, you can probably add them now as long as there is no ammonia. I had hermits and snails survive a month long cycle when I upgraded to a larger tank. Ammonia wasn't present for more than a day or two, but nirites were high for awhile.

05/23/2018, 10:01 AM	#7
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	IMO, I would leave out the hermit crabs. IME, they will kill off snails for their shells.

05/25/2018, 07:11 PM	#9
jubbilee555 Registered Member Join Date: May 2018 Posts: 2	I'm looking into one of the lower end rodi systems on Amazon (around$100 CAD) which i know isn't the best but should be better than tap at least. I had my water tested at my LFS and everything is normal except for slightly increased nitrates. Changed the direction of some of the powerheads, dimmed the lights a little, and have been diligent about siphoning and dusting. It's looking a bit better algae wise. Do i need to wait until everything is normal before i add more snails or hermies?? If i had to choose one over the other i prefer the hermit crabs but are the snails more beneficial?