to hermit or not to hermit?

[krullulon]

after reading through advanced aquarist featured aquariums and about a billion other opinions, there seems to be about a 50/50 split on hermit philosophy -- folks either think they're absolutely necessary for a healthy tank or that it's completely unnatrual to include them... i'm having a hard time reaching any conclusions of my own on this one.

so -- to hermit or not to hermit? i want to get my 90g started off right... i was thinking about adding a few snails (less than 10) and no hermits to start out with, but there are lots of sources recommending significant numbers of both hermits and snails from the get-go.

what's a good plan for a new 90g? i've just finished cycling and there's a bit of algae starting to appear, and although i know this is normal i'd still like to keep it in check as much as possible while still building a long-term sustainable system (i.e., without introducing artificially large numbers of any critter that's just going to starve after the initial algae bloom is done).

thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

If you have no coral in your tank, cut down your photo period to help control algae.

I have no hermits in my tank. Just don't see the need and don't want them taking food from other animals. Snails are great.

I don't agree with the school that recommends adding tons of hermits and snails to a new tank because there is almost always massive die off of these animals. I think the 10 snails makes sense and they will breed to sustainable numbers.

 

[Anonymous]

You might lose your 10 snails in a 90g. But what Righty says is good. Personally I have hermits... red legged, and blues, and I think they're kinda cool to watch...but thats just me. They get annoying sometimes, and sometimes they fight each other for their shells. What I do.. is coathanger them away from each other... (ahh the coat hanger.. the best tool I've come across with out getting my hands in the tank!). It's all good though. I've got a bunch of snails too... mix 'em up a bit for diversity.
~wings~

 

[Anonymous]

A piece of ridgid tubing is a good subsitiute for the coat hanger! :mrgreen:

 

[Anonymous]

A piece of ridgid tubing is a good subsitiute for the coat hanger! :mrgreen:

The only difference is that you can bend the coat hanger to go around rocks 'n stuff. ...besides what else are you going to do with all those drycleaning hangars? :wink:
~wings~

 

[ChrisRD]

I have no hermits in my tank. Just don't see the need and don't want them taking food from other animals. Snails are great.

Ditto.

I don't agree with the school that recommends adding tons of hermits and snails to a new tank because there is almost always massive die off of these animals.

Ditto again.

 

[paige]

I like watching the hermits, they can be pretty interesting...I only have 2 blue legged ones so I don't think they're hoarding too much food, they're pretty slow cleaners compared to the snails.

 

[Baianotang]

For me it's a matter of liking, if you like the little buggerers its ok and you forgive there little "mistakes". (like I do)
Certanly they arent the "key" to success.

 

[ChrisRD]

On the upside, they're easy to get out if you decide you don't want them later.

 

[Anonymous]

I like to have a few, because they are funny to watch.

But I prefer snails to hermits as far as algea cleaning power goes.

 

[krullulon]

ah, choices.

i think i'll start with a few snails and ponder a hermit or two later on.

thanks for the great feedback!

 

[Anonymous]

My 100 gallon has a few hermits but the real helpers are my turbos,a starfish,and a fighting conch. They keep my tank very clean.

 

[Anonymous]

IMO the good things that dwarf hermits do greatly outweight the few negative things they do. they do make good scavengers and cleaners, they help keep the sandbed turned and are detrivoires. They are by no means the golden children of the cleaning world but they wont (depending on the species of dwarf hermit) destroy your tank...besides they provide great comic relief..it is a 50-50 tear..its all a matter of opinion.

 

[hillbilly]

I have maintained tanks for years without any kind of crabs in them, only a few snails. I really dislike crabs, but that's just me. The only people who say you need tons of both crabs and snails to maintain a reef tank, are people trying to sell them to you.

 

[Ira]

I don't like crabs. Use all snails - i.e. astrea and nassarius; magarita snail; troch. Only crab to consider is scarlet hermit - less agressive

 

[desbug13]

Hi, new here. Juz set up my 120G tank was my corals have almost been setup. i was wondering if there'll be any disaster if i were to place 1 or 2 hermit in there? thanks!

 

[krullulon]

well, today i got a couple of snails and a rock of green hairy mushrooms... and it appears that there was a little blue-leg hitch-hiker on the mushroom rock, so it looks like i have at least one hermit.

 

[Anonymous]

Get about 4 turbos about 1/2 inc or more in size and one Fighting Conch. This will keep your tank pretty clean.

 

[J.Howard]

I added some for starters. Mini Zebras I believe, and only started with 15 or so in my 200. I added some small astrea snails later on and noticed that the biggest hermit was soon sporting a nice new astrea shell. Oh well. I don't have any plans on adding more but will keep the existing population for detritus duty. They surely know better than to pick on the big turbos in there, they may be sneaky, but not stupid!

 

[Anonymous]

there is bound to be a loss of a snail or two from time to time with hermits..its the food chain guys. i have 5 large turbos that dont even get bother by the dwarf hermits...