When Is Enough, Enough?

[@ombomb]

I currently have 12 snails, but the majority are Nassarius so scavengers rather than grazers.

I could buy 15 Nerites on eBay and the plan would be to have 6 or 7 in the sump and the rest in the main tank which would tank me up to about 20 snails in the 24G main tank. I don't really want to move any of the Nassrius snail into the sump as I'm hoping to create a good build up of anerobic bacteria in the sand...

What do you think?

Quick edit:

I also have:
2 x Blue Legged Hermits
1 x Blue Knuckle Hermit
1 x Red Legged Hermit
1 x Emerald Crab

 

[steelhealr]

You CAN over do it if not careful. If your snails starve and die, well, most likely someone will come along and munch down on them. However, you can never exclude the possibility of it leading to cyano or hair.

It's somewhat important to try and keep a balanced crew in there...wall cleaners, rock grazers, sand sifters, detritus eaters. Etc/ SH

 

[Aquascaper]

As Steelhealr says you need to cater for all the different zones/areas of the tank that require cleaning and getting a good balance is the key - no tank is identical so crews will differ from tank to tank.

Main areas for attention are:

Glass - Snails
Substrate - Snails, Hermits & Worms
Rock - Snails, Hermits, Shrimps & Worms

If you have a problem in one area then increase the relevant cleaners for there until you reach a balance. If you start to see dead snails and your glass is crystal clear then you have too many, etc.

 

[@ombomb]

Well I'm going to add the nerites as I need more attention on the glass, crabs seem to be doing a good job on the rock and substrate and I will be adduing a cleaner shrimp in a week or so. If it's looking a little on the heavy side in terms of crew members, I have a shop that would be happy for a little donation.

Thanks for the advice.