hermit crabs vs. snails for reef?

[CARM]

I am starting a 5.5 nano reef soon and was wondering for my clean-up crew, which would be the better choice: hermit crabs (probably blue-legged) or snails? And how many?

 

[Fishguy2727]

Snails would be better and safer (they can also clean the glass).

 

[TomStav]

Any reason you wouldn't want both hermits and snails?

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[Fishguy2727]

Hermits will make use of the snails' shells (without the consent of the snails).

 

[TomStav]

True but if you provide enough empty shells they don't tend to kill them too much...

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[CARM]

Hmmmm yeah I initially thought I'd get both that way I have the snails to help clean the glass and the hermit crabs to sift the sand, BUT I heard the crabs will kill the snails for the shells, as Fishguy2727 said "without their consent" lol
but TomStav that's a good idea to provide some extra shells maybe I'll do that thanks guys!

 

[CARM]

oh ya how many of each tho???the thing about snails I don't want them multiplying into 47749274829163 snails all over the place.....

 

[BeanPets]

You can get sand sifting snails to help keep the sand clean. I would put about 5 astrea snail and 10 Nassarius vibex(sand sifters)

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[Zer0]

Ceriths also clean the sandbed. As well as rocks, and the glass.

 

[iDream]

that sounds like a bit much for a 5G BeanPets, i dont even have that many snails in my 14G

i'd get say 2 nassarius, and 2 astrea, and 2 cerith. For a small tank i wouldnt want any snails dying because of hermits and causing an ammonia spike, so i say no hermits

 

[Badfishofbabylon]

I would suggest both, I would go with 4-7 snails, and around 4-5 hermits. I threw in a few empty snail shell in my tank and the hermits have left my snails alone. Just don't get the big hermits like an Electric Blue, stick with the Dwarfs.

 

[Fishguy2727]

I would have 2-3 large nassarius or 10-12 small in addition to the other types. Keeping the sandbed clean is very important.

 

[classklown90]

i think you guys are suggesting wayy to much, this is a 5 gallon correct??
heres what I say:
2 blue legged hermits
2 red leged hermits
6 empty shells larger then theirs
2 nassirus
4 nerites

 

[Unicorn]

I have a Mix of hermits and snails and so far nobody has killed anybody LOL
You will need snails for the glass, hermits are fun to watch

 

[DaughterwantsNemo]

I started with 3 Hermits and 3 turbo snails. I have 3 hermits. Clearly there wasn't enough turbo for the snails to make off. I now have 3 hermits and one rather large snail which will crawl/creep over the hermits crab shells.

Besides, crabs don't clean your glass from algae like snails do.

 

[CARM]

thx for the advice everyone, i think i'm just going to stick with snails for my reef
maybe i'll get some hermits for my fowlr tho to clean up the sandbed