The reef safe conch

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by tom.n.day, Apr 2, 2012.

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  1. tom.n.day

    tom.n.day Eyelash Blennie

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    from reefcleaners. It says it stays in the sand bed, does this mean it eats the good bacteria in the sand bed? thanks
     
    tom.n.day, Apr 2, 2012
    tom.n.day, Apr 2, 2012
    #1

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  2. tom.n.day

    tom.n.day Eyelash Blennie

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    Man, do I have to post a log showing me being a jerk to an online customer service rep to give my thread some attention?!?!?
     
    tom.n.day, Apr 2, 2012
    tom.n.day, Apr 2, 2012
    #2
  3. khowst

    khowst Bangghai Cardinal

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    no, your a still a jerk without posting it.

    lol, jk

    I had a conch for the longest time, and I liked it. Just kinda cruised around getting the top layer of sand. My kids loved having 'Gary' (spongebob) in the tank. Then one unlucky day my now sump exiled large hermit served him an eviction notice.
     
    khowst, Apr 2, 2012
    khowst, Apr 2, 2012
    #3
  4. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    Lol!
    I believe they only eat excess food and poo!
     
    cosmo, Apr 2, 2012
    cosmo, Apr 2, 2012
    #4
  5. Thatgrimguy

    Thatgrimguy Flying Squid

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    The fighting conch are completely safe ime. They eat algae and detritus and help to stir the sand bed, I think they are actually classified as omnivores. But a tank can only support so many. So don't waste a bunch of money on a bunch of them. A couple is all you need.
     
    Thatgrimguy, Apr 2, 2012
    Thatgrimguy, Apr 2, 2012
    #5
  6. ingtar_shinowa

    ingtar_shinowa Giant Squid

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    Yeah Tom, your biological filtration will be unaffected though they will eat worms and other micro-fauna in the sand depending on what type we get. I've keep alot over the years and never had an issue with them killing any other types of snails or corals.

    But these have all been queen conchs and fighting conchs as far as I knew. Once we get in the random dudes we will ID them from there.
     
    ingtar_shinowa, Apr 2, 2012
    ingtar_shinowa, Apr 2, 2012
    #6

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  7. khowst

    khowst Bangghai Cardinal

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    Good point I forgot to mention that. I had one + a sand star in my 75g and they stay busy, but I wouldnt go past that, so 2 maybe 3 at most in a 75g as my personal vote.
     
    khowst, Apr 2, 2012
    khowst, Apr 2, 2012
    #7
  8. SushiGirl

    SushiGirl Barracuda

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    We have 2 fighting conchs in our 55 and it's one too many. I have to supplement them with sheet algae. They eat leftover food, algae off the sand, algae off the rocks (that they can reach), and algae off the glass. Plus they bury themselves, which helps stir the top layer of the sandbed. Other than having 1 too many, we love them.
     
    SushiGirl, Apr 2, 2012
    SushiGirl, Apr 2, 2012
    #8
  9. kcbrad

    kcbrad Giant Squid

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    I have two fighting conches in my 90 and they do an awesome job. They are my favorite little critters :) They eat left over food, poo, other detritus.

    But, they need a lot of space and will starve if they have to compete. I would never have more than 2 for my tank, and one in a smaller tank.
     
    kcbrad, Apr 2, 2012
    kcbrad, Apr 2, 2012
    #9