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M

maverick

Guest
I have a 45 gallon reef tank. I currently have about 20 nassaruis snails, 3 cleaner shrimp, 5 turbo snails and a serpent star and my cleanup crew. I was looking to add some hermit crabs to help keep up with brown algae. I had a bloom due to high phosphate level. The phosphate levels have been resolved but I want to ump up my cleanup crew.

I'm buying 2 pepermint shrimp and some hermit crabs.

Anyone have any suggestions on a suggested quantity/type of hermits. I've have saltwater tanks for 7 years no but only fish. Stepping into the reef side and still trying to figure a few things out.

Thanks for the help.

Larry
 

basiab

Advanced Reefer
Location
secret
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117   0   0
I have a 45 gallon reef tank. I currently have about 20 nassaruis snails, 3 cleaner shrimp, 5 turbo snails and a serpent star and my cleanup crew. I was looking to add some hermit crabs to help keep up with brown algae. I had a bloom due to high phosphate level. The phosphate levels have been resolved but I want to ump up my cleanup crew.

I'm buying 2 pepermint shrimp and some hermit crabs.

Anyone have any suggestions on a suggested quantity/type of hermits. I've have saltwater tanks for 7 years no but only fish. Stepping into the reef side and still trying to figure a few things out.

Thanks for the help.

Larry
I have a 24 gallon with 2 pepermints and 2 hermits. Pepermints do a good job of cleaning up food. Hermits will also do that plus some eat algae. I generally do not have hermits because I don't trust any crabs. They are oportunistic and if hungry will eat anything. And they tend to kill snails to get their shells, especially nassarius snails. The two hermits I have now have been behaiving so far but I will be getting rid of them soon.
 

Dre

JUNIOR MEMBER
Location
NY/NJ
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I'm not a big fan of hermit crabs i bought some once and less than a month they were dead.As they grow they need bigger shells i didn't want to buy anymore.Try not to depend on your cleanup crew too much.Test water quality use skimmers/
PhosGaurd/Activated Carbon and you may need to use a toothbrush to remove some unwanted algae sometimes.Remember to make water changes.Good luck.
 
Last edited:

SnakeEyes27

Experienced Reefer
Location
West Side
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If you go with hermits i was told you should get large scarlet hermits. They are more passive and if you buy full grown ones you wont have to worry about them fighting for shells.
 

Dre

JUNIOR MEMBER
Location
NY/NJ
Rating - 100%
243   0   0
There is a thread on hermit crabs in the reef for beginners forum check it out you might find it usefull.
 

Master Shake

captain of tying knots
Location
Lawrence
Rating - 100%
54   0   0
dont get the peppermint shrimp, some eat aptasia, but they all eat corals. Hermit crabs are great. I agree get the lg red scarlet hermits and 10 is a good #.
 

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