Olive Nerite or MTS (Malaysian Trumpet Snail)?

[steve18]

I have 75g and 10g brackish tanks, and would like to add one (both?) of the above to control algae and work through my crushed coral gravel, and also thought they would be cool to add to the mix. The 10g SG is around 1.005-1.008, and the 75g is 1.010-1.012. Anyone tried Zebra Nerites? I've read on AquariaCentral that Arakkis sells olive nerites. Where can I get MTS? I've read that getting inverts from Arizona Aquatic Gardens is not a good idea. What are the problems I may run into? Which one is more likely to become a pest? Do nerite eggs leave impossible-to-remove marks on the glass or equip? What do they need to eat aside from algae? Now that it's cold, should I hold off until the weather gets warmer for a delivery?

Any advice or experience would be appreciated.
Steve

 

[Pufferpunk]

MTS will die at that SG. Nerites do not go into the substrate like MTS do.

 

[Lupin]

Nerites actually crawl to the substrate but they will not bury themselves on it. They are quite efficient algae eaters. Please do buy them only if you have abundant algae supply! I find it very rare someone can accomplish into convincing them to eat prepared foods such as veggies. They prefer to eat algae and biofilm above anything else. As to whether they will breed or not, they will but the velligers (larva) will need phytoplanktons to nourish themselves otherwise they may be unable to survive for a long time. The eggs are annoying when they stick themselves to decors. I had that happened to my apple snails' shells much to my dismay as the eggs cannot be removed and they look unsightly despite looking like tiny sesame seeds stuck underwater. Have them shipped under warm climate or have the supplier include heat packs. I'd rather do the former to be safe.

MTS don't eat algae in my experience. I've never seen them go with any algae preferring rotting vegetative matter and food leftovers.

 

[brackishdude]

Good summaries above, though I believe nerites and MTS will live up to 1.010 (less sure on MTS)

I have bought nerites both from Az Aquatics and ebay, happy with both. My last ebay batch had live barnacles on them!

Nerites will polish your tank, and the eggs are easily scaped off of the glass. THink big pretzel salt in appearance. I've never found babies.

MTS are unparalleled at stirring the substrate, but do little else but procreate. To thin the herd, I put a piece of shrimp on a string and put it under a piece of tupperware. Pull it out, rinse em off, and repeat. . and repaet. . . and repeat.