hermit crabs

[maverick]

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]

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]

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.

 

[SnakeEyes27]

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]

There is a thread on hermit crabs in the reef for beginners forum check it out you might find it usefull.

 

[Master Shake]

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 #.

 

[DHaut]

I'd check out www.reefcleaners.org and shoot John Malloney a note. Let him know what you have and what you're looking to accomplish. He's usually good about recommending a decent package.

 

[maverick]

great info guys... I am going to stay away from them.....