New to reefing.

[ElGuappo]

i do have to disagree with the choosing of snails of crabs. i have a 34 G and i have over 20 snails of 4 different types and 15 hermits of 3 different types. i have seen them hassel the snails a little but they are usually able to get away unless they fall and are overturned. i have only lost 2 margarita snails in the 9 monthes ive been set up. all were added at about the same time.

Just my opinion. i do however feed an exces of pellet food once in a while as the hermits and shrimp seem to really like it.

PS i think i have lost more hermits to hermits then snails to hermits. as the 2 billion shells in my tank arnt good enough so they fued all the time.

[Doug]

Interesting. I also never knew that about margaritas. To bad,as I find them to be a good cleaning snail, unlike so many others we buy.

[angelfan]

Originally Posted by Whatigot

I had a 36 gallon tank as my first reef and my set up was almost identical to yours.
I found that when I had a sponge or floss or anything like that in my cannister I got Algae galore and high nitrates, even after large water changes.
As soon as i took all the media out and just packed it with LR rubble, my tank became very self sustained.

only my experience and yours of course may vary.
cheers.

LR rubble only in my can filter too for 3 years and a very stable system (first reef tank) Also I found the same with floss/sponge