Uglies...

[dexterie]

So, I'm officially in the uglies phase. Ciano and some other algae everywhere. I have 3 turbo snails in the tank (and a Elysia that I found yesterday - hitchhiker).

I was thinking I should get some CUC memebers. Will hermits be ok? I'm just afraid to add them because of the turbos.

Any other suggestions for CUC, to help keep the algae in check? I know it's just a phase and all, but...

Thank you!

 

[want2bsleepy]

hermits will be fine, just check on your turbos everyday as they like to fall upside down and can't flip themselves back over.

 

[dexterie]

hermits will be fine, just check on your turbos everyday as they like to fall upside down and can't flip themselves back over.

I check them daily. I call them my "Munchin' Cows" lol.
My fear is that the hermits will bug the snails for their shells... Turbos are quite big, but still...

 

[want2bsleepy]

I check them daily. I call them my "Munchin' Cows" lol.
My fear is that the hermits will bug the snails for their shells... Turbos are quite big, but still...

as long as there is enough for them to eat, they should leave them alone

 

[spiraling]

I check them daily. I call them my "Munchin' Cows" lol.
My fear is that the hermits will bug the snails for their shells... Turbos are quite big, but still...

hermits prefer cerith shells. i have read that the blue legged hermits are the safest with snails. Just make sure you have extra shells of various sizes in the tank for them. the astrea and trochus snails eat a lot more algae than hermits, but hermits are fun to watch.

 

[dexterie]

And how many should I get? Will 2 or 3 be ok in a nano (20 Gallon)? (along with the turbos)

 

[spiraling]

And how many should I get? Will 2 or 3 be ok in a nano (20 Gallon)? (along with the turbos)

yep - you should be good

 

[Nanologist]

I prefer the Scarlet Hermits and have never had one take a snails shell. They seem to like the algae more than the blue legged ones(which seem to mostly wait for fish feeding time to get the scraps).

My Scarlets climb the rocks all night and a good portion of the day picking at algae. However they will usually stay away from cyano unless it's the absolute last algae in the tank, so they may not be the best CUC to help with that.

*Edit - thought I should add, good water flow in the trouble areas and nutrient control are your best bet long term.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

I do like diversity in snail choices.

A good article.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/#post-3063945