Snail stocking

[jester23]

Hey everyone. I would like to add some snails to my 20 gallon FOWLR. I would like 2 species. What two species do you recommend and how many of each? I want them to clean my glass and my sand bed and live rock. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Jimbo7]

Astrea and Nassarius snails seem to be the most common. Both can flip themselves back over which is a huge advantage. Astrea will clean the rock and glass, Nassa snails bury themselves in the sand.

 

[jester23]

Thanks. I'll look into it. What about Cerith Snails?

 

[melosu58]

For sand

Saltwater Aquarium Snails for Marine Reef Aquariums: Nassarius Snail

 

[jester23]

Oh sorry I'm used to calling it a sand bed, but it is actually crushed coral. Sorry.

 

[melosu58]

Well you cant use them then. They would get cut up with the sharp edges of CC.

 

[jester23]

I cant use any of them?

 

[Jimbo7]

The nassa snails for sure no. But you should look to get rid of the CC soon anyway. It will trap waste and bad things and eventually become a nitrate factory, causing you a huge headache. I would replace it with aragonite. Don't do it all at once though. in 1/4 or 1/3 is what i see recommended most often.

 

[cmor1701d]

I would suggest checking out reefcleaners.org (one of our sponsors). John Maloney can help you decide on a clean up crew (CUC).

I agree with getting rid of the crushed coral (1/3 at a time, a week between each third).

 

[jester23]

Really? Wow. Thanks for the heads up. Hmm...so is aragonite expensive? What is it exactly?

 

[Jimbo7]

It's just basic sand. Get it at any pet store.

 

[jester23]

I'm already on it. Thanks for letting me know beforehand. I would hate to have had my tank stocked and stuff and then have to take the CC out.

 

[Jimbo7]

Yea, it seems a lot of LFSs will try and push CC on people, though i'm not sure why.