Getting started

[blue2fyre]

I found a 5 gallon, metal frame slate bottom tank at goodwill for $3. I am planning on replacing my current 5 gallon with this much cooler one. Now I have a badly planted standard 5 gallon with a variety of snails. I am currently keeping pond snails, ramshorn snais, one mystery snail and a small group of gold tetras. I'm going to give away the tetras and go all invert.
So I'm planning on moving my current snails to the new 5 gallon and getting some shrimp roommates. I will be setting up a sponge filter instead of my current HOB.
No what? lol
Will my snails be ok with the shrimp? I went to this site called planet invert and it was really cool but had me concerned about my snails. According to the site my mystery snail and ramshorn are plant eaters and will out compete the shrimp for food. So far they have not touched any of my plants only the lettuce I feed them. I just want to double check on this. I currently have java moss, java fern, and some money wort. I use to have some hornwort but it was way too messy so it was removed but I still find little bits of it here and there.
Anyway I am just looking at setting up this tank in the right way that will be best for my plants and inverts :)

[Mgamer20o0]

they are fine together. i never seen a ramshorn eat plants or brigs. though i wouldnt put many brigs in a 5 gallon.

[blue2fyre]

I only have one and I'm not planning on getting more

[jamesstill84]

I use a HOB with a media bag over the intake and haven't had any problems. :D

[Lupin]

I also have two ramshorns in my planted tank. They never eat plants at all. In fact, they love hovering the surface waiting for foods to drop in and start gobbling with the rest. I haven't seen any eggs nor babies though. Maybe my brigs just eat the eggs.:huh: I'll have to pester my friend to get me more ramshorns...

[jamesstill84]

Do brigs eat the eggs? I was under the impression they didn't. I have tons of eggs in mine. Pond snails, ramshorn, brigs, RCS, and MTS. I'm egged out!

[Lupin]

I went to this site called planet invert and it was really cool but had me concerned about my snails. According to the site my mystery snail and ramshorn are plant eaters and will out compete the shrimp for food.
PI has outdated and inadequate information. There are several species of apple snails. The only ones recorded not to eat plants are the Pomacea diffusa/bridgesii and Pomacea paludosa. P. canaliculata is something you should watch out for as these are mistaken for brigs several times and certainly will turn a planted tank into a salad bowl overnight.


I currently have java moss, java fern, and some money wort. I use to have some hornwort but it was way too messy so it was removed but I still find little bits of it here and there.
Most creatures don't like the taste of Java ferns, Java moss and hornworts. I doubt any of your snails would destroy them anyway.

[Lupin]

Do brigs eat the eggs? I was under the impression they didn't. I have tons of eggs in mine. Pond snails, ramshorn, brigs, RCS, and MTS. I'm egged out!
I don't know, James. I'm only guessing because I have more brigs and only a couple of ramshorns. The ramshorns have been with me for weeks and they're still the only ones around. Maybe I'm just impatient.lol

[jamesstill84]

I guess it's always a possibility. If only my Brigs would have "fertile" clutches instead of the duds I've been getting. I've got 2 females with a male and they don't seem remotely interested any each other.

[Lupin]

Maybe widen your chances by getting some from Rachel, James. Her snails just love to copulate around.lol

[jamesstill84]

yeah, that's the plan. I'm just waiting on paypal do transfer the funds to my account. I'm getting some pink and purples. :D I really want jade and blues though.