How many queen conches for a 180 gal?

pumpdogs · #1 07/04/2006, 11:05 AM

I want to place a queen conch in my 180 gal.Will 1 be enough to keep my sand clean?

Sk8r · #2 07/04/2006, 11:23 AM

Yes. I use one carib and 1 tongan fighting conchs in my 52, and they thrive, but they don't get big at all.

The Queens, however, get nearly a foot long, in time, and that's enough for one tank!

Sk8r · #3 07/04/2006, 11:24 AM

Also, conchs may burrow to work the deep sand, so don't get another if your conch disappears for weeks on end.

Ultimately she'll be too big to disguise herself.

futrtrubl · #4 07/04/2006, 01:02 PM

That burrowing may also upset your rockwork so make sure it is secure. There may be issues with "deep sand beds" too.

Edward

pumpdogs · #5 07/04/2006, 03:44 PM

I only have a shallow bed.

Sk8r · #6 07/04/2006, 04:26 PM

It will frustrate the conch, but not stop her---she'll just plow a few furrows, no damage done.

I can always tell where mine have been in the night, but flow moves the sand level again by noon.

hopper · #7 07/04/2006, 04:46 PM

I have a queen conch in my 110 that has a 3" sandbed in it. People say that they get really big, but I haven't seen this with mine. Unless they have a slow growth rate. It is starting to get bigger, but I want to say that it has only grown about 1" or so in the year that it has been in my tank. Must be around 3" now. Great detritus eater for the sandbed. This thing is constantly roamin around and foraging for something to eat.

Ploppers · #8 07/05/2006, 01:04 PM

I have 4 in my 150 that came with a cleaner package. They've been in there since last november and seem to be doing well. Two of them are growing faster than the other two. Growth rate is similar to what hopper is seeing overall. I plan on getting rid of 1 or 2 of them eventually so they don't slowly starve.

xtrstangx · #9 07/05/2006, 01:28 PM

1 or 2 Queen conches.
4+ Fighting Conches. I would get 3-4 and then add more if you need them.