treesprite September 27, 2013 Share September 27, 2013 Since for some reason I have had such a difficult time with snails, I am thinking of getting out of my ban on hermits (well, I have 2), and getting a bunch of them to keep things picked. Any thoughts on this? Thanks for the input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swimmatte September 27, 2013 Share September 27, 2013 With the exception of when they pick at my fungias and scolys, I think these guys do a great job in my tank. I much prefer a bunch of hermits over a few emeralds like I've had in the past. I keep both snails and hermits with success, but I feed heavy, which is probably why that works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite September 28, 2013 Author Share September 28, 2013 (edited) I would only get hermits. I will absolutely never knowingly put a mithrax (emerald) crab in my tank again. Plus there would be no algae for them to eat, and the lack of algae is the reason my snails always die (the snails that get through the plumbing to the refugium do not die, and nassarius snails which do not need algae do not die, so I'm convinced that it's the lack of algae, not a water chemistry issue). I do have concern about crabs killing the nassarius snails. But given that they eat the same thing as the crabs, the only purpose that would be served by having the nassarius would be to keep the sand turned (they live buried in the sand except when looking for food, like at tank feeding time). But that does make me want to ask a different question. What would be good for turning sand if crabs kill the nassarius snails? My sandbed is only 1" or less in some spots. Edited September 28, 2013 by treesprite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyCallMeMr.703 September 30, 2013 Share September 30, 2013 (edited) But that does make me want to ask a different question. What would be good for turning sand if crabs kill the nassarius snails? My sandbed is only 1" or less in some spots. A Goby. ;-) Edited September 30, 2013 by TheyCallMeMr.703 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite September 30, 2013 Author Share September 30, 2013 Can't put anymore fish in my tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM September 30, 2013 Share September 30, 2013 Sea cucumber? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite September 30, 2013 Author Share September 30, 2013 Too big. But don't they just go over the sand, not dig or burrow in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smallreef September 30, 2013 Share September 30, 2013 (edited) Sand sifting starfish?but if you do not have alot of sand they can deplete the micro fauna very quickly.... Edited September 30, 2013 by smallreef Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanM September 30, 2013 Share September 30, 2013 Too big. But don't they just go over the sand, not dig or burrow in it? I think they do just do the top quarter inch, yes. Do you really need it all stirred down to the bottom of your 1 inch of sand? If so, maybe the easiest is to stick a plastic dowel in there once in a while and stir things up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite October 1, 2013 Author Share October 1, 2013 For some reason the sand gets packed on the surface, even so shallow. It may be that the sand is too fine; it's not sugar fine sand, but pretty small (can't remember the brand or grade). I need to see some real samples of various types of sand wet, to find one I think would be better for my tank's needs. Where could I go for this? I have a dragonet, so I don't want anything that will strip out my pods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 October 1, 2013 Share October 1, 2013 For some reason the sand gets packed on the surface, even so shallow. It may be that the sand is too fine; it's not sugar fine sand, but pretty small (can't remember the brand or grade). I need to see some real samples of various types of sand wet, to find one I think would be better for my tank's needs. Where could I go for this? I have a dragonet, so I don't want anything that will strip out my pods. This is good sand: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=7326 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite October 1, 2013 Author Share October 1, 2013 This is good sand: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=7326 Thanks. Was loooking there. Is that sand pink or is it just the way the photography makes it look? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 October 1, 2013 Share October 1, 2013 It's not pink. It's beige/whiteish. Just how the photo looks. I had used that sand in my old tank, and it worked well. Just rinse it really good, as it does have a lot of dust. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite October 1, 2013 Author Share October 1, 2013 Maybe it's the computer or my light or something, because it looks a little pink to me in the webpage picture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 October 1, 2013 Share October 1, 2013 No pink. I had that exact sand in my old tank. Trust me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugar Magnolia October 1, 2013 Share October 1, 2013 This is good sand: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=7326 That's what I used in my tank, along with some finer grade sand. Every 6 months or so I use a gravel vac on it to syphon off the junk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
treesprite October 25, 2013 Author Share October 25, 2013 I put 10 hermits in the tank. I had one already and there may actually have been a second one, so I have 11 or 12 of them now in my 75g tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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