View Full Version : Keeping a snail tank clean
I'm having trouble keeping my snail tank clean enough. I have a 10 gallon tank. Now I only have 1 snail, but I have had up to about 7 adult snails at one time, with 2 plecos. (They had about 20 babies, but I gave most of them away).
I have 2 filters:
-the Fluval 205 canister filter (http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753121&keepsr=0)
-the Aquaclear 30 filter (http://www.terrificpets.com/pet_supplies/fish/filters/power-filter/4051.asp)
The problem is the filters take a lot of time to clean. The Fluval especially is a major production that takes about 2 hours. If I am slammed with work and don't have time to clean the tank, the older snails suffer. They live to around 2 or 2 1/2 years old, and then die. I think if I can keep the tank cleaner they will live longer and be happier.
I saw this filter (http://www.onedersave.com/how-it-works.htm) on an aquarium website. (EcoBio-Block). Has anyone tried it? I think the issue with snails is they eat a lot and produce a lot of waste, so this filter may not be the solution. I feed my snails organic collard greens, and fish flakes. Any suggestions? Other creatures? Other filters? Different diet?
Thanks in advance.
LuxyBlue
04-24-2008, 9:31 PM
It may not be the snails. I have 3 in a 10 gallon and have no problem with weekly water changes and just a 100 biowheel on it. I think the culprit may be your plecos, not the snails.
Sarge_857
04-24-2008, 9:37 PM
what kind of plecos? most if not all cant be in a 10, unless its temporary.
LuxyBlue
04-24-2008, 9:39 PM
Not to mention that... but what kind of snail? I assumed an apple/mystery.
Wow. I never realized it could be the plecos. I always thought of them as making the tank cleaner. Msjinkzd also just mentioned to me that the plecos are big poopers. These (http://www.beast.gen.nz/fish/img2/Pleco-203.jpg) are pics (http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/data/1885814290830lg.jpg) that I found on the internet that look exactly like my 2 plecos. I could give the plecos away. I'm not that attached to them, it's the snails I'm in love with.
The snails are Apple snails, I think. Usually yellow or brown. I don't know if the brown ones are a different type. I don't know how to insert a photo here or I would put a photo up of a brown one.
LuxyBlue do you like the biowheel? What brand do you use? Do you think it would help to add one, or do I have enough filtration going on? It sounds like what I need is more weekly water changes also.
This is really helpful. Thanks sooo much.
kimmisc
04-25-2008, 3:38 AM
Snails and plecos produce alot of waste in my experience, but I've never had issues cleaning filters because of it. The snail nasty is different from pleco nasty in that the snail slimes up every surface in the tank and it's very slimey in my snail only tank. With weekly maintenance, it doesn't seem to be a problem. I'd think the plecos would keep it much cleaner on the walls and decor though. The pleco waste would just be in the form of poop on the substrate, and removed by vacuuming.
When my snails were in my CRS tank, I didn't notice slime, so the shrimp probably consume the snail waste, being full of infusoria and partially undigested veggie matter. Since plecos don't belong in a 10g, maybe you could move them to a larger tank and try some CRS for your snail tank?
LuxyBlue
04-25-2008, 10:33 AM
I think you have plenty of filtration for a 10 gallon, but those plecos are poop factories and really too large for the tank. We have a sailfin pleco in our 6ft tank and I swear he can make one 6 foot long poop without even trying. He just sails from one end of the tank to the other flying his poopstring kite.
SpockthePuffer
04-25-2008, 10:38 AM
I think you have plenty of filtration for a 10 gallon, but those plecos are poop factories and really too large for the tank. We have a sailfin pleco in our 6ft tank and I swear he can make one 6 foot long poop without even trying. He just sails from one end of the tank to the other flying his poopstring kite.
lol, what a beautiful image you've put in my mind!
msjinkzd
04-25-2008, 1:01 PM
Also, apple snails commonly only live for a couple of years so 2 1/2 years is a pretty good lifespan. Temperature really effects how long they live. The higher the temp of the tank, the faster the metabolism, growth, and shorter the lifespan. I keep my snail tank between 72-74. This helps prevent growth rings, allows the shells to grow slower so they stay nice and thick, and increases their longevity as well as *theoretically* slowing down their reproduction.