[Poseidon]

Originally Posted by NoSump

Thanks for the suggestions. It's a bit confussing for someone new to the hobby - particularly when there are such conflicting opinions (on Hermits) from you experienced reefers.

Congratulations on your tank being featured. It's very impressive, and speaks to your knowledge and patience.

Yes it is confusing, and there is more then one way to be successful. I just try and find the simplest/and LEAST expensive route I can! I am going to get some of those Stomatella Varia snails from inland aquatics though, especially if Ninong likes them... LOL

And Thanks for the compliment!

[NoSump]

I am curious about one aspect of snail keeping. I understand that several of the species burrow in the sand bed and provide the benefit of keeping the bed clean.

My question may seem a bit naive, but when the snails die off burried in the sand bed, don't they create a potential amonia problem? Or are they consumed by other burrowing snails?

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by NoSump

I am curious about one aspect of snail keeping. I understand that several of the species burrow in the sand bed and provide the benefit of keeping the bed clean.

My question may seem a bit naive, but when the snails die off burried in the sand bed, don't they create a potential amonia problem? Or are they consumed by other burrowing snails?

Everything that dies in the tank is consumed by something or other (including bacteria) in no time at all. There would be no ammonia problem from the death of a snail.

In my 120-gal reef tank I experienced the death of a 5" fish, whose remains could not be retrieved, without an ammonia problem. My nitrates rose from ~2 ppm to ~10 ppm for a few days but all measurements were back to normal within a week. Not everyone's system is the same, so my experience may be different than yours. My tank has a 6" DSB, numerous Eurythoe complanata bristleworms, hundreds of mini seastars, one banded serpent star and at least two dozen Nassarius vibex snails, all of which eat carrion.