Phantom crabs and Swinging Snails (video)

Hello! Last week we got our clean up crew and let me tell you, they don't call them turbo snails for nothing!  Those snails had the tank spic and span in two maybe three days time.

We bought our clean up crew from Top of the Reef on our way back from hubby's brother's wedding.  Although we were tired and cranky, we wanted those snails because our tank had turned in to the Tank from the Black Lagoon.

We used a drip acclimation set up we built using an airline hose and a drip irrigation nozzle from Ace Hardware.

Drip acclimation set up.

Hermit crab snail mass.

Forty-five minutes later, the crew was ready for the tank!

Tank from the Black Lagoon

In three days with our 10 snail, 3 crab crew our tank went from the above to this:

Like a Boss.

Tell me how awesome that is?

But shortly after this miracle, tragedy struck.  Tommy Crab of work group 2 was found dead swirling around the current.  His lifeless body brought distress to my heart and immediately I thought of the possible ammonia swing.  I had husband pull the body out.  But after doing a crab head count, I was shocked!  We still had three crabs!  Who's body did we have?

Turns out he molted!  Two days later, another one molted.  I think this says our parameters are good.  But I'm not sure. 

Everyone was so relieved that no crab murders had happened that the snails threw a wicked party where they showed off their favorite hobby: Snail swinging!  I'm only sorry I didn't get a longer clip.  I had trouble finding my phone.