Algae Cleaner Packs

[DodgeRT]

Originally Posted by austinsdad

This time of year, I'd be afraid of mail order and consider that smaller quantity from your lfs unitl the weather warms.

That's not a bad idea, I could probably get buy with what you suggested until the weather warms up and still support the lfs!

[cmor1701d]

I'll disagree with Ray on the hermits, and the snail population. I would add about 20 nassarius, 3-5 turbo grazers and some cerith a/o astrea for now. Increase the nassarius and cerith when you need more.

Snails need to be drip acclimated for a long time or you can try Dr. Ron Shimek's trick of self acclimation:



Astrea Snail-most common of all saltwater tank snails. They are excellent algae eaters and will forage all over the rock, sand, and glass. These guys fall very easily, can not right themselves, and die.

Banded Trochus Snail - Large snails that are excellent algae eaters although are very slow about it. These guys have a hard time picking themselves up if stranded in the middle of the sand. .

Bumblebee snails- Not very hardy. Marginal algae eaters, but more of a detritus grazer. They can prey on other snails and sand bed critters.

Cerith Snails (Cortez) - Good algae and detritus eaters that forage rock, glass, and sand. Some can pick themselves up and some cant.
Cerith Snails (White)- Good algae and detritus eaters that seem to stay in the sand more than the cortez, but can be found on the rock and glass. Once again, some can pick themselves up and others cant. Good sand bed snails to turn the sand bed.

Fighting Conch Snails All about the sand bed, they are great detritus eaters. They usually dont get flipped over, but if they do, they can kick around and turn themselves back upright.

Mexican Turbo Snails - super fast grazer that will knock out some algae in no time. They mostly stay on rocks and glass, but will work the top of the sandbed too.

Nassarius Snails (Nassarius vibex) - They mostly stay in the sand, but will sometimes make short trips up the glass. They are mainly detritus eaters and do an excellent job cleaning and turning the sand. I think these are also some of the most hardy snails out there. These guys can flip themselves upright very easily and quickly.

Nerite Snails - Mostly a rock and glass snail that are all about the algae. The dont move very fast but the areas they have been in are clean as a bell. These guys like to crawl outta the water some. I often find them in my overflows a/o sump. These are great snails, but also have trouble turning themselves back over.
Stomatella Snails - They are supposed to reproduce very well. No personal experience w/ them.

Strombus Snails (Strombus maculatus (sp?))these are excellent snails that reproduce very well. They seem to be mostly sandbed snails and will occasionally make there way up to about the rock work.

[austinsdad]

That's right. Some folks don't like hermits 'cause they kill snails. I just expect that as the hermits grow, and buy more snails.

[usmcmarc]

You can try www.reefcleaners.org for some of the more exotic snail species. They will also set up packages for you based upon your preferences.