View Full Version : snails in a planted 55
55fresh
06-11-2009, 2:34 PM
I am planning my set-up and since I am wanting to go sand would like to know about snails to help keep the sand stirred. are there any that I can put into a community planted tank safely?
beeZer350
06-11-2009, 2:54 PM
Malaysian Trumpet Snails (AKA MTS) are what a lot of people around here use.
petluvr
06-11-2009, 2:56 PM
I agree MTS
55fresh
06-11-2009, 3:33 PM
about how many would I need?
timwag2001
06-11-2009, 3:45 PM
just a few. they multiplay pretty quick
If you've got more than 1/4 to 1/2 inch depth of sand it will still be a good idea to manually stir the sand from time to time as MTS don't go very deep into the substrate- they basically go just below the surface.
seetharam
06-11-2009, 4:10 PM
I personally would not recommend adding snails to a planted tank .... once they start multiplying .... they become a real menace
Slappy*McFish
06-11-2009, 6:18 PM
It really depends on the snail. MTS are great for planted tanks.
http://www.yamatogreen.com/MalaysianTrumpetSnails.htm
seetharam
06-12-2009, 8:12 AM
Hey Thanks for that link, very informative
coach_z
06-12-2009, 8:53 AM
It really depends on the snail. MTS are great for planted tanks.
http://www.yamatogreen.com/MalaysianTrumpetSnails.htm
Slappy gets a gold star for the day with that link!
I personally would not recommend adding snails to a planted tank .... once they start multiplying .... they become a real menace
Personally- I see snails as an inevitable occurance in a planted tank- unless you have fish that eat them.
I'd rather get a colony of MTS going strong than have the niche open and available for bladder snails.
Most snails, except ones that eat plants in abundance, are going to help out in many ways- cleaning excess food and algae- some better than others... MTS also help by stirring sand.
If there is not an excess of food in your tank you won't get an excess of snails.
Either way though- no matter how vigilent you are- snails of some kind will eventually find their way into a planted tank.
I personally would not recommend adding snails to a planted tank .... once they start multiplying .... they become a real menace
A few times I have observed similar reactions like this. Do ramshorns, bladder snails, pond snails and MTS actually eat live plants aside from the fact, people complain they are unsightly in large numbers? I have not observed all four to eat my own plants at all, perhaps except the ones with soft foliage. It is purely coincidental these snails do consume dead and dying plant parts which can be mistaken for "consuming healthy plants". A lot of times, people refuse to believe their plants are actually withering and still blame the poor snails for this issue.
Per the number regulated, it's down to how you feed. If you are overfeeding, then the snails can easily sustain their number without too much effort. I had to overfeed my own snails to sustain enough number of MTS for my assassin snails to eat.