Hermit Crabs and shells

[tunbos1]

Hello People,

I just got one electric orange hermit crab (calcinus sp) because i needed more help with the tank cleanup...especially the substrate and some green algae on the live rock.

But i understand they need to be provided empty shells so that they dont attack my snail for its shell, so i got some empty shells.

I want to know if i should introduce the shells directly into my tank or is there a particular type of treatment i need to put them through before.

[smaug]

Simply rinse the shells in some hot water. Bad news though,the hermit will still kill your snails,its there nature. The best hermits are the tiny blue legs,they are very small and arent quite as murderous [or able to be] as other types. Very good cuc crews can be done using nothing but snails.

[tunbos1]

Okay then smaug::::advise on good CUC....using just snails

right now i have 1 nassarius snail,
1 trochus,
1 pacific cleaner shrimp
but the green hair algae wont go away....and the sand bed too needs something with a good work rate.

tried getting the turbo fluctuosa snails or the margarita but couldnt find any...believe me , i tried.

So give me some options please and maybe you might just help save my snails..