Starting A Sw Tank, Adding Snails

[zendarx2]

Okay my plan is to start a SW tank. Then “slowly” gain experience Intel I can add a pair of seahorses (tank raised) Well I am learning a lot by reading and stuff but I keep getting confusing numbers when it comes to the amount of snails to add. I will be starting a 29gal and I see many different amounts of snail I “should” add such as 100 turbo…but that seems like a lot to me.
My idea is


10- Turbo/Astrea
5- Nassarius
1- Mouse Cowrie
2- Sand sifting stars
Would this be a good start? Is it okay to add that many at once or will the bio load be to much? I know my FW Snails breed like crazy so I would guess the turbo and Nassarius should add up in time. What do you all think? And does anyone have a link to or just know about Mouse Cowrie I have found only a little info on them not much at all but I know some one with one and he said it is a good snail to keep.

Thank you so much for your time

 

[steelhealr]

Hi Zendarx.....just keep in mind that a 29 gallon tank is a nano reef and be prepared to keep on your toes. Here is my take on your post:

1) For a nano reef, 1 snail per 1-2 gallons, hence, if you figure 15-30 snails, I'd err on going lighter for now. You could always add more.

2) 10 Turbos in a 29G nano reef is WAY TOO MUCH...they'll constantly rearrange your corals.

3) Cowries are not a good idea for a nano tank. The eat algae when small, but, as they get bigger, they're going to eat your soft corals. If you aren't going to keep corals, there is a possibility it may starve

4) Sea stars generally don't do well in nano tanks and when they die, they can crash your tank. If you are gong to try one, I would NOT add it until you get some mileage as a marine aquarist.

Anyway, here is a sample way to start out your tank's cleanup crew (this is NOT the be all/end all, just an example:

5 astrea
5 nassarius
5 cerith
2-3 turbos or trochus

skunk cleaner shrimp

If you want hermits, you could throw in a handful, scarlets are the least offensive (I'm not a big hermit fan).

If you MUST have a large snail, you could look at a fighting conch. Anyway, jmo. SH

 

[zendarx2]

Well im glad I asked, I knew you all would know more then my LFS, gezz I found 3 of them around my area that are about 45 min away and 1 that is like 15min away. The close one was like “Yellowhead jawfish? Never heard of it” the other 3 are crazy or something one guys fish all look half dead and the other guy keeps his tanks so wonderful but well…he is full of himself and started getting mean when he found out I was not buying anything and just checking to see if it was a good place to buy SW fish and inverts.

Well I think I will go with your example. After I made the post I starting thinking hard about the star fish and I will put that off till I get rich or something. So my tank would be a nano? Wow how big till you get out of nano size? I just love the 29 gal shape I will have to make my own tank one day or put like two or three 29g together.

Thank you for your help. I have been trying to find some one in the area who keeps a SW tank and the only one I found is some guy who told me he has had his for about six years and he has only had LR in it and nothing else and that I should not even try keeping anything else its just way to hard. So im like a fish out of water

 

[superman]

Well im glad I asked, I knew you all would know more then my LFS, gezz I found 3 of them around my area that are about 45 min away and 1 that is like 15min away. The close one was like “Yellowhead jawfish? Never heard of it” the other 3 are crazy or something one guys fish all look half dead and the other guy keeps his tanks so wonderful but well…he is full of himself and started getting mean when he found out I was not buying anything and just checking to see if it was a good place to buy SW fish and inverts.

Well I think I will go with your example. After I made the post I starting thinking hard about the star fish and I will put that off till I get rich or something. So my tank would be a nano? Wow how big till you get out of nano size? I just love the 29 gal shape I will have to make my own tank one day or put like two or three 29g together.

Thank you for your help. I have been trying to find some one in the area who keeps a SW tank and the only one I found is some guy who told me he has had his for about six years and he has only had LR in it and nothing else and that I should not even try keeping anything else its just way to hard. So im like a fish out of water

As far as a tank on the smaller side that still would be "ok" for a beginner, I would do a drilled 40 gallon breeder tank with a 20 gallon sump. This would give you a good start as far as pretty good water volume, an area to have all of your equipment, and you could even put a refugium on the sump which I would highly recommend.