Hermits vs. Snails: CUC showdown

I voted mostly snails but I have a mix for the fun to watch factor. I think snails are the main cleaner. Crabs aren't really necessary.

 

I voted mostly snails. They will keep the tank clean all by themselves, but I have 2 blue legged hermits as well and enjoy watching them sift the sand when I catch them at it
Also as someone else mentioned, they can reach into some of the deeper crevices in the rocks to get stuff the snails can't reach.

 

this is why I say a good mix of snails is important. If you have the right snails, it's the crabs that can't reach the deeper crevices.

It's important to have snails like dwarf planaxis. These snails are small and can reach all the spots that are otherwise unreachable.

 

I like to keep mine balanced 50/50

 

GTS, along with all the others, I will highly recommend reefcleaners.org for the customized CUC. We just got ours and I was very impressed. We still have hermits, but now we have more snails and I think a good mix is better than one or the other.

Edit: Also, we had more problems with hermits knocking things over than we have had with the snails.

 

I have an even mix and think a mixture probably works best...but I have to say the hermit crabs kind of gross me out. They lose legs, shed whole body looking things, etc. I know they do a good job because they're always busy, but they are kind of "ew." I haven't had any problems with them killing my snails. I have a lot of empty shells in the tank for them and they change often with no problems.

 

as everyone says a good mix is good. I just got an order couple weeks ago from John. Had some crab and snail deaths due to shipping, John took care of me. It was an excellent mix of species and adds to life, activity and movement to the tank. +1 to reefcleaners.org.

 

Im getting mine from Reefcleaners.org tomorrow. Its a pretty good mix, more snails than hermits though.

This is an add on to my current CuC. My hermits now are fun to watch but i dont think they do anything for algea. Hoping the boost in the snails are going to kick my cyano.

Ill vote after i see what the "booster shot" does to my tank.

Can say enough about reefcleaners though. And to buy the 90+ different organism at my LFS would have been well over $150. Reefcleaners shipped was around $60.

I cant imagine you wouldnt want to save money on your CuC after all the money you have spent to date. A figure you should and probably will take to your grave ....for your sake

 

Snails are the main crew for me, I do like having a few hermits though. I don't consider them a major part of cleanup though, I just like having them.