Quick questions about CuC's

In a short time I will be purchasing a CuC from Reefcleaners, and had a few quick questions about them:

I know hermit crabs need extra shells to grow into, but what about snails? Do I need to have extra shells for them to go into if they get too big for theirs?

Will hermit crabs be a problem with snails in the same tank? I was wondering if the crabs would eat the snails.

Now that my levels are looking pretty good (Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 20), I'm almost ready to get some livestock and a CuC. I'm also getting my chaeto soon for my DIY HOB power filter fuge as well, which reminds me of another question...

I'm sure Dingo will be hooking me up with TONS of pods in the chaeto I am getting from him ;D, but do I need to add any CuC to the DIY fuge? The chaeto will be in the large chamber of a AquaClear 300 power filter (http://www.3reef.com/forums/i-made/diy-hob-power-filter-fuge-95354.html).

 

Snails grow their own shell using calcium, it just grows with them. hermits shouldnt bother them if you are getting them as a package. And no need to add CuC to it

 

as long as the hermits have some extra shells to snatch when they start to grow ... you won't have a problem.

I didn't provide extra shells for the hermits as they grew the first time around, and as a result, I started seeing them in my snail shells, and a whole lot less snails in the tank.

A hermit will pick one up off the ground before he'll kill for it ... but don't kid yourself, they'll take it if they need it lol

 

Another shamless plug for Dingo.:LolLolLol:LolLolLol:LolLolLol

 

Do the snails I will get need specific shells or their particular type?

 

no,the snails will have their own shells,just keep your calcium up so the shells grow with the snails.You shouldn't have to dose calcium,as your regular water changes should keep calcium at good levels.

 

After reefcleaners advised me of my cuc, I only ordered half the hermit crabs that they suggested. I also ordered extra shells. I did lose a few snails but it was not that much of a loss considering the free extras I recieved.

Brian

 

When I first started my tank I asked for a quote WITH hermit crabs. Some things changed in my setup, so I asked for another WITHOUT hermit crabs, so I'm undecided if I want them or not.

 

So what has changed? Also how many did they suggest at first? You will get differant opinions here for sure. I was told and agree that diversity is important when it comes to your cuc. If I remember correctly reefcleaners suggested like 20 or so mixed hermit crabs. I ended up ordering 8 or 9 blue legged hermit crabs.

Brian

 

If I remember correctly, the quote I asked for originally was when I planned on having approx. 50# of LR, and now that I added it I actually have 100#.

For the quote when I thought I would have 50# I was told 14 Blue Legs.