How many algae eating snails to have?

[kilnakorr]

I know the answer to this question depends on a lot of things.

I'm considering adding some more snails, just to help clean the glass a little.
However, I'm unsure if I should since I really don't have much other algae.

I only have 4 algae eating snails in my 9x gallon DT, and never added more as I couldn't see the point.
Would it be safe to add some more without risking they starve?

 

[fluked]

9 G is fairly small, im assuming you have turbos? Also, are they fully grown? Remember as your tank ages the snails will get bigger and require more food, and if you cover your rocks with algae, it leaves them with less food sources. If you dont have enough algae on your rocks i wouldn't add more.
Also, snails don't clear glass, they just leave mouth prints insteas

 

[Uzidaisies]

Agree, snails are not going to do much about algae on the glass except leave little squiggly trails through it. Is this a nine gallon tank? Not sure if 9x is representative of something else.

 

[G Santana]

I have a 130 gallon tank, I have 5 very large turbos, about the size of a half dollar coin, I also started with 5 small snails of which 3 died so a total of 7 snails and one bulldozer urchin in my 130 gallon and the tank stays clean.

I have read all these numbers of 10 per gallon or some such number and I balked at it.
Get what you need not what they say.

 

[kilnakorr]

9 G is fairly small, im assuming you have turbos? Also, are they fully grown? Remember as your tank ages the snails will get bigger and require more food, and if you cover your rocks with algae, it leaves them with less food sources. If you dont have enough algae on your rocks i wouldn't add more.
Also, snails don't clear glass, they just leave mouth prints insteas

Agree, snails are not going to do much about algae on the glass except leave little squiggly trails through it. Is this a nine gallon tank? Not sure if 9x is representative of something else.

Sorry for the confusing.
I have 92 ish gallons, but using liters here, so not quite sure the actual number in gallons.

 

[Lavey29]

I have about 30 in my 80g. I started with about half that and slowly increased as needed. Different types and sizes. Have only lost like one snail in 6 months. I seem to be better caring for snails then fish unfortunately.

 

[Uzidaisies]

Sorry for the confusing.
I have 92 ish gallons, but using liters here, so not quite sure the actual number in gallons.

Ah ok, yeah you can put a whole bunch of snails in there potentially. But the best thing for the glass is probably an algae scrubber and a razor blade.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Sorry for the confusing.
I have 92 ish gallons, but using liters here, so not quite sure the actual number in gallons.

I have around 20 in my 32 gallon. No turbos just astrea, trochus, cerith, nassarius, and nerite

 

[vetteguy53081]

Depends on your needs
Start out with 3 of each below and add if needed

turbo
Astrea
Nerite
Cerith
Nassarius
Trochus

 

[kilnakorr]

Depends on your needs
Start out with 3 of each below and add if needed

turbo
Astrea
Nerite
Cerith
Nassarius
Trochus

I guess that is my question really. Do I need them?
The only algae I have is the brownish (and very little green) algae that forms on the glass every few days. If snails won't really help with this, then adding them dosn't seem like the best idea.

 

[Lavey29]

I guess that is my question really. Do I need them?
The only algae I have is the brownish (and very little green) algae that forms on the glass every few days. If snails won't really help with this, then adding them dosn't seem like the best idea.

That's why you start off with a small amount and increase if needed. Some eat algae and some detritus.

 

[fluked]

I guess that is my question really. Do I need them?
The only algae I have is the brownish (and very little green) algae that forms on the glass every few days. If snails won't really help with this, then adding them dosn't seem like the best idea.

You don't need them. If you don't have an algae issue you don't need more cuc. That may change with time, or you may be like the guy above with the 130 without many, every tank is different.
If you start seeing the algae ourpace the snails, if so you might want to increase your cuc

 

[GHOSTLY]

13g one 4 inch top hat snail, 12 trocus, 3 astreas, 2 nass snails, and 1 turbo

 

[X-37B]

I use a varity of snails. I use the 1 per every 2 gallons of system water with good results.
Last count I had well over 60 in my 120.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I guess that is my question really. Do I need them?
The only algae I have is the brownish (and very little green) algae that forms on the glass every few days. If snails won't really help with this, then adding them dosn't seem like the best idea.

Hair algae, you want to stay ahead of with snails although reducing light will be effective also

 

[kilnakorr]

Hair algae, you want to stay ahead of with snails although reducing light will be effective also

Never seen any hair algae in my tank.
Only diatoms in the beginning and som green coating afterwards.
Just coating on the glass really, so I guess my 4 snails won't have new friends right now.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Never seen any hair algae in my tank.
Only diatoms in the beginning and som green coating afterwards.
Just coating on the glass really, so I guess my 4 snails won't have new friends right now.

Diatoms- simply siphon and wipe glass. It will subside over time
Chitons will help will diatoms