Turbo snails. . . your thoughts??

I was thinkin about it today and was wondering what others though about Turbo snails? Is there a rule of thumb like 1 per 5 gallons or anything along those lines?

 

WAY lower than that. You need a ton of algae for these guys, they are bulldozers and will wreck shop in your tank. A lot of people advise against them, I have 2 in a 55, and its def enough, IMO, but I don't have an algae problem to feed more.

 

Hummmmm maybe I'll take some back. I dont have an algae problem yet, but I know I have a bloom coming given that today is day 1 with my light. I have 5 atm in my 75 tank.

 

you can keep them till ya have a problem, just feed them or they'll starve. just make sure your rock work is glued or plugged down

 

I have neither atm. I am free set but they are really really stable. After reading that they can push rocks over, I took a length of pvc pipe and tried to push them over and they are very very well set. Is it still a concern?

 

prob not, but I think you'll be surprised what they can move, My rocks aren't glued or linked and I rarely have a problem, but its a possibility, just FYI, I kept mine, as with everything in this hobby, most things have positives and negatives, ya gotta decide which things are worth it on your own. I say they are but a lot will say they aren't!

 

It just depends on how much algae you have for them. I have one turbo and 3 Red band trochus snails in my 29g. It seems to be enough for it, but i do water changes once a week now. IF you have a pretty algae free tank, I would not really recommend doing turbos, i would get a few Astrea Snails or some Red Bands.

 

I agree on the turbos...if you have a HA problem, then pick up one or two. Right now, with no algae, they will starve unless you feed them (dried seaweed works OK for this).

It's not necessarily your rockwork they'll knock over (unless it's sketchy or small pieces), but if you have any frags, they will be all over the place in no time.