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Originally Posted by BigA
I might have to go pick up some rubble. That sounds like a good idea. You are right about the hermits. Their need for new shells could turn out to be an expensive propositon. Could a person buy some larger empty shells from somewhere and put those in as an alternative for the crabs? I've seen bags of shells at michael's for a couple of bucks before.
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Good idea on the rubble instead of the media in the canister. Nitrate factory (with media)!!!
When you decide on inverts, you need to decide whether you'd like hermits or snails. They don't co-exist very well as the hermits kill the snails, as they prefer escargot to algae and detritus. You can't blame them really!!
I prefer snails as hermits have other drawbacks as well. I keep Astrea, Nassarius, Cerith, Margarita, and Ring Cowries. I have mixed feelings on the Margaritas as they are a temperate species, and don't survive well in the tropical temperatures of our reefs. The higher temperatures speed up their metabolisms, and they live a much shorter life than they should. So, I feel bad putting them in my tank, but they are AWESOME algae eaters! The only reason I have them in my tank is because they were sold to me as a different species. When they die, I don't think I will replace them as I feel too cruel!