Clean up crew for a nano

[zdrc]

I think it's about time I picked up some clean up crew for my 12 gallon aquapod. After reading a bit, I was thinking of getting some Trochus, Cerith, and Turban snails. How many should I get of each? Are there any other snails I should look into getting?

In addition to this, I want to get a hermit. I think their behavior would add to the tank, and I'm prepared to mitigate any bad behavior they may show. It sounds like the blue-legged hermit, the left-handed hermit, or the scarlet hermit would be good choices. Are there any other species I should look for? Will any of these work in this tank size?

 

[blaxsun]

I would look at 1-2 small blue or scarlet hermits (and just those two types), 2-4 trochus snails and 2-4 spiny astrea snails or ring cowries. And a really small orange lip or strawberry conch for your sand bed.

 

[Sharkbait19]

I had 8 blue leg/Mexican red leg hermits, 10 nassarius, 10 astrea, and a trochus doing most of the work in my 13.5. Also an emerald crab and a pistol shrimp.

 

[john92708]

I have 3 astrea snail in my 14 gallon and they ate all the algae including GHA within a week. Maybe just get one or two astrea snail depending on how much algae you have. Cerith snails are good too if you have a sand bed. what's your setup looks like? pictures?

 

[zdrc]

I think I'll start with a blue or scarlet hermit, 2 trochus snails, and 2 cerith snails if I can find them. It's not unusual for me to be away from the tank for 5 days or more. I need snails that can right themselves. I might get an emerald crab and a cowrie as well.

I think a conch is too big, and the astraea's will die if flipped.

 

[Obsessed with fish]

I would get 2 blue legged hermit crabs, 5 trochus snails and a red blood shrimp.

 

[blaxsun]

I think a conch is too big, and the astraea's will die if flipped.

A small conch would be fine, but a few nassarius snails would be a good substitute. Spiny astrea snails prefer the rocks where they can't get upended as easily.

 

[Reffetsevla]

If you add hermits add MANY extra shells. Even with those, bear in mind that they can still kill snails if they like those shells better. Watched mine do it a few months ago. I'm now hermitless. FWIW I had about 20 extra shells for 8 hermits. Sometimes they are just murderous jerks, however this is my first issue with them in about 15 yrs. It's a calculated risk with crabs

 

[MelodiB]

I have a 13.5 gallon and absolutely love Sifty, my strawberry conch. Best little cleaner ever.