Purpose of Hermit Crab

[troni]

I like my hermits too! Q though will they eat the yellow gunk build upon the bottom of the sump?

[goldie]

so if a lot of you don't use hermits what do you have for a CUC, just snails? Do you use a mixture of species?

[jorjef]

2 Astrea snails and about 8 Cowries in 77 Gallons... Hardly a clean up crew lol I like them because they are nocturnal..I believe if your tank is stable and you don't overfeed you shouldn't even need one..

[marie]

Originally Posted by goldie

so if a lot of you don't use hermits what do you have for a CUC, just snails? Do you use a mixture of species?

You will find over time that you have more of a clean up crew then you thought. Bristle worms, spaghetti worms, brittle stars, pods......all these guys form the bulk of a good cuc and they come as part of your live rock

[jorjef]

Originally Posted by marie

You will find over time that you have more of a clean up crew then you thought. Bristle worms, spaghetti worms, brittle stars, pods......all these guys form the bulk of a good cuc and they come as part of your live rock

Very good point.

[burgerchow]

Originally Posted by goldie

so if a lot of you don't use hermits what do you have for a CUC, just snails? Do you use a mixture of species?

Umm, about 150 snails, 2 tuxedo urchins, 5 long spine urchins, couple emerald crabs, and a big ass chiton, ( sea hare currently on tour)

[Aquaria]

Originally Posted by burgerchow

Umm, about 150 snails, 2 tuxedo urchins, 5 long spine urchins, couple emerald crabs, and a big ass chiton, ( sea hare currently on tour)

Sounds like complete overkill to me lol

[whatcaneyedo]

Originally Posted by jorjef

My top ten list of what Hermit crabs can do for you.

1- Kill your snails.
2- Tromp all over your corals.
3- Knock frags over.
4- Kill each other.
5- Great for throwing into your sump.
6- Steal food from your LPS corals.
7- Just generally creeping out the wife.
8- Ensure your ailing corals will die.
9- Rip small softies from their rock.
10- Great toys for cats.

11. Eat the spines off of a large green brittle star
12. Moray and dwarf lionfish food

I haven't had any in my system for several years.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by goldie

so if a lot of you don't use hermits what do you have for a CUC, just snails? Do you use a mixture of species?

i dont see the need for ornamental clean up crews like snails or crabs, urchins etc in a big tank. like marie said theres more than enough cuc in a healthy tank let alone the stuff we add afterwards.

[troni]

ok so while your tank was maturing what did you use?