zebra hermits??

[skiffalope]

OK, why hermits over snails or vice versa? Does anyone have a pros and cons list. My preference would be for the crabs only because they're less expensive and much cooler looking then the snails.

My plan for Algae and Detritus Cleaning Crew is as follows for my 80g tank.

80 Hermit Crabs
40 Turbos
30 Nassarius Snails
20 Cerith Snails
2 Abalone
4 Lettuce Nudibranch
5 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Emerald Crab
1 Sally Lightfoot
3 Fancy Serpert Sea Stars
3 Sand Sifting Sea Stars
2 Tiger Tail Sea Cucumbers
3 Burgandy Sea Stars

So far, I have 3 HC Crabs, 1 Turbo and the Emerald Crab. However, based on this HC issue, I may reconsider this mix. Anyone have any thoughts.

I may also post this under a new thread.

 

[fsa]

To me, snails seem to do a better job of cleaning rocks, etc. than the hermit crabs, at least so that I notice. From what I gather reading all of the posts reference anti crabs are that they kill snails for their shells. I have a few of both.

To me, your cleanup crew list is huge. I don't see a need for that many/much in your 80 gallon tank, but, you may have a lot of rock/sand and problems that they might be just right. If you aren't having a real big problem right now, I would go a little slower in adding the different animals, if in fact you were planning on adding all of them pretty much at the same time. JMO, though.

Good luck, Frank

 

[skiffalope]

To me, snails seem to do a better job of cleaning rocks, etc. than the hermit crabs, at least so that I notice. From what I gather reading all of the posts reference anti crabs are that they kill snails for their shells. I have a few of both.

To me, your cleanup crew list is huge. I don't see a need for that many/much in your 80 gallon tank, but, you may have a lot of rock/sand and problems that they might be just right. If you aren't having a real big problem right now, I would go a little slower in adding the different animals, if in fact you were planning on adding all of them pretty much at the same time. JMO, though.

Good luck, Frank

Frank

Actually, after reading all the responses, my approach is going to be a bit slower. I'm going to add in phases and see how the tank does.

I'll be posting some pics from my tank this weekend. Mainly because I want to get some input from others on some of the things I'm seeing.

 

[nccoastal]

well if you get snails smaller than your hermits you will have no worries. hermits make more movement .