[ilovemash]

Hey, Im new to saltwater aquariums, and am creating a 60 gallon reef tank. My question is, how many and what kind of critters should I put into the tank to keep it pretty and clean?

[Fishhead Junkie]

hmmmmm...i just wanted to reply to a message. i am pretty new as well. my tank is only 29gallons. i think when i started i put in about 10-15 snails, maybe 20 of those small hermit crabs, and a few emerald crabs. seeing as yours is twice as big, i would double that give or take, maybe a lil less, then add more as time goes on. i put in 4 of those nazzarus<---poor speller----snails...those lil suckers are cool as hell. i dropped them in and they just start digging into the sand and disappear, keep the floor nice and clean. i would throw in a horseshoe crab too, they are fun to watch when they decide to come out. not sure what kind of tank you are going to have. i put a black brittle star into my tank and it took up home in the center of the tank under all the live rock. it cleans up any dead fish, extra food etc. all of a sudden this tentacle arms just come creeping out and it grabs the stuff and pulls it in. good thing to have.

steve