New to Saltwater, invert question

[olsenshouse]

I just set up a 55 gallon tank. I'm going to turn it into a reef tank once I'm done cycling. I'm a huge fan of crabs/inverts. What is the limit of inverts to put into a tank? I know for fishes it's 1 inch of fish per 5 gallons. Is it the same for inverts?

Thanks,

Bry

 

[lvsuckerfish]

inverts are uaually 1 per gallon but that also depends on the invert some are 2 or 3 per gallon. you will have to also see what ones are compatible I would talk to John maloney with reef cleaners about that he sales and deals with the inverts

 

[Myteemouse]

If you put enough hermits in there you'll have the pleasure of constantly buying new snails..
They snip off your snails when your not looking
then sometimes they will do it right in front of you,
" LIKE I DON"T SEE YOU EATING MY SNAIL UUUUGGGGGGGGG"

 

[NC2WA]

yup..Adam is correct..hermit will steal the snail shell, which is why I made a decision to only have snails in my tank..no hermits ever !

 

[Myteemouse]

Same here
I am crab free.
The doctor said so.

 

[pblutang]

I lost half of my snails to the crabs. little crab taking down the big turbo. I think I only have 1 turbo left. I had 4 in there a month ago. I wish they told me that at the lfs. I would have just gone with the snails. nausarius seem to keep my sand bed clean.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

I personally only add a couple to my display the rest go in the sump to fight and or do what ever. as for the same reasons above this is for hermits my emerald crab i never seen eat a snail. I am not sure how well he will do in the tank with a trigger

 

[burning2nd]

i have a 75 with 3 hermits a lotta lotta shells (on the bottem) and a few dozen snails

the red scarlet hermits and much more peaceful then the blue leg..
over populating your hermits and crabs will result in battling and death..

40ish snails
10 10 10 2 2 5 and 1 diffrent ones and two hermits u shouldnt have a problem..

but then maybe one less hermit, 2 less snail and then a shrimp... you have 2 find the balance in your tank.. and they arent suppose to just die and be replaced all the time

 

[treehugger]

Good cleaning crew for a 55gal (IMO)...
Zebra hermits ~12
Nassarius Snails (Tongan if you can get them) ~6-12
Margarita Snails ~12
Nerite Snails ~6-12
Cerith Snails ~6-12
Fighting Conch 1
Blue or Red Tuxedo 1

 

[olsenshouse]

I'm not a big fan of snails but they are a big part of keeping your tank clean I guess.

 

[07FocusST]

Crabs can be a-holes... Although they are alot more interesting that snails. I have Emerald Crabs and Hermits right now. Got to get another Sally Lightfoot again!

 

[DonW]

What is the limit of inverts to put into a tank? I know for fishes it's 1 inch of fish per 5 gallons.
Bry

The whole inch per gallon thing is really a worthless old rule of thumb. It all depends on the system itself and the bioload it can handle.
As far as inverts go. Generally there isnt much of a limit.

Don

 

[burning2nd]

proper respect don... its out the window...

i can tell u this.. with ut most certainty

u dump 12 hermits in a 55 ur gonna be looking at a slaughter

start slow and work ur way to stability

 

[DonW]

proper respect don... its out the window...

i can tell u this.. with ut most certainty

u dump 12 hermits in a 55 ur gonna be looking at a slaughter

start slow and work ur way to stability

Im really not understanding what your attempting to say. Hermits will pester and sometimes kill others like snails. That doesnt mean there is a limit on inverts. Like anything else you have to use caution so the inhabitants dont eat each other. On the other hand Id have no problem throwing 200 or even 400 snails in a 55. The same goes for hermits as long as they are not eating everthing else in the tank.

Don

 

[olsenshouse]

What snails eat brown algae?