Algae and detritus control without hermits

[fracguru]

Can you get all of your algae control without using hermits?

I would like to own a flame hawk, but must assume that he will eat hermits and shrimp. So in my 125 gal tank, would a lawnmower blenny, sand critters, brittle stars, and some snails be an effective combination at keeping the tank clean?

What would be your recommendation for putting together a cleaning crew without hermits?

 

[esmithiii]

I use nassarius snails instead of hermits.

Ernie

 

[rayjay]

I don't use snails or hermits. I do, however, mechanically remove built up detritus and razor blade scrapings of algae on glass with a siphon tube. Once the tank matures, this only needs to be done every couple of months.

 

[fracguru]

bump

 

[Anonymous]

I do no like crabs in a reef. Most crabs are opportunistic omnivoris feeders.

I prefer snails....
Nassarius are a good choice if you have a sandbed.
I also keep Astrea, Turbos, Nertite and Cerith

 

[newreefman1]

fighting conchs do a wonderful job at cleaning up the sand...I have a few and love them!

 

[guppychao]

i have a flame hawk and he doesnt (at least i dont see it) bother with the red and blue legged hermits that i have. Shrimp, i dont know but i am getting some peppermints soon as i have to control my aptasia, but the cleaners are okay
good luck

 

[auto_loader]

newreefman1:
Where do you get the fighting conchs? Also where is a good place to get snails on-line?

 

[Trigger Me Happy]

Newreefman1,


Did you find a LFS who carries fighting Conchs?

Todd

 

[newreefman1]

yup...

Octopuss gardens gets em in whenever they have em in LA. 3 bucks a piece....1 per sq foot of sand is Dr. Rons reccommendation...

Aquatic has them in their little shrimp display thingy but they only get a few in..Ron gets like 50-100 at a time. He still has some now I believe...I was just there on sunday.

j