About hitchhiking snails ..

[jennfier]

After a month of setting up my new plants, I discovered some 5-6 snails of varying sizes. How the buggers slipped through my inspection, I'm not sure. So, ..

1. What do snail eggs look like ?
   
2. Is there something with which you can rinse the plants that will dislodge snail eggs and/or disinfect the plant for fish diseases ? If so, where would you get such a solution ?
   
3. Do they take bites out of leaves and not simply eat algae ? Someone has been chomping on my Ammania leaves and I have no fish in there.

 

[djlen]

Alum (aluminum sulfate), available at most pharmacies or supermarkets.
Alum will kill snails and snail eggs and not harm plants at all. One or two tsps./gallon of water. Let the plants soak over night to be assured that the eggs are dead. The egg sacs are very difficult to spot.
Two hours will kill snails.
Rinse the plants well before introducing them into the tank.

BTW, yes certain snails will eat plants.

Len

 

[jennfier]

Alum (aluminum sulfate), available at most pharmacies or supermarkets.

Thank you ! What is Alum originally intended for ? I was at the pharmacy the other day but wasn't sure how to ask for it and since I was in a hurry, I didn't get it.

Also, phanmc has suggested 5% bleach solution, does this do the trick too in regards to snails and snail eggs ?

Thanks !

 

[lora]

I think alum is used for making pickles, not sure what it does though, maybe helps keep them crunchy?

 

[djlen]

Yes, it's used in the making of pickles.
You can use bleach as well, but it's very harsh on plants. Alum is not, but deadly to snails. I dip every plant that comes into the house before putting it into the tank and have no snails, other than the brigs (apple snails) which I do want.
I highly recommend Alum over any other method.

Len

 

[clayt101]

Alum (aluminum sulfate), available at most pharmacies or supermarkets.

Is there a brand name/product that I should look for? I have a feeling that if I go to Walgreens and ask for Alum, they will have no idea what I am talking about. :look:

 

[djlen]

Actually you might get that reaction in a chain pharmacy. But if you have a mom and pop pharmacy, they usually know what it is you're after. There is a small operation in my area that carries all kinds of stuff that many chains don't stock. I used to buy Salt Peter there as well which is KNO3 in powder form. Now I buy larger quantities of KNO3 from Greg Watson. But I still pick up Alum there when I need it.
If you can't get it at the pharmacy look in the spice section of the supermarket, or ask someone. Tell them it's used for processing pickles.

Len