tank cleaners

Can some tell me what should I use for a tank cleaning package. I have 40 gl tank
40 lb of live rock 70 lb live sand

 

Ok well, there are many ways to go. You can either get hermit or snails...you can get both...but usually the snails become very nice looking cars to the hermits and well...lets just say that the hermits need a car XD so for a 40 gal i would either get 10-20 small hermits or 10-20 small nerites or margarita snails...besides that you can maybe get a turbo snail or 2 for the hair algae and a few nassarius snails

 

Check out this sight: www.garf.org

I have had good success with their "reef janitor" packages. There is definately some die out over time, but I've never noticed the hermit crabs attacking the snails.

 

just get some of them all. some will die some will not. most will not. their cheap. you'll be fine. turbo snails are cool but they tend to rearrange the scenery. so beware.

 

yes, turbos are great but there is a dark side to anything...i find that nerite snails are great they stay small and are really good with the glass

 

I'm partial to nerites and nassarith snails which stay small and are great detrius eaters. Trochus snails are great film algae eaters and dont get too big. Cerith snails are great too! They will do a good job of cleaning the glass right at or below the top of your sand bed. I would get about 7-10 of each and a few scarlet red hermits. Marguerita snails do a great job but are a cold water snail found of the coast of southern california and mexico, therefore they tend not to be as long lived as the others IMHO.

 

One of my favorte is the nassarius snail. They will consume uneaten food, decaying organics, and fish waste. They also bury themselves in the sand and come out to feed.

 

^^ love those little guys! they always come out at nigt

also if you can get tolkien cowries where you are, get em, they are one of the few reef safe cowries and are just so cool...they will eat anything including algae

 

i like the nassarius snails too. they dont let anything decay.