Crayfish Proof Snail?

[black_sun]

Is there such a thing?

Whenever I buy plants to feed my crayfish from the LFS I always end up with little Ramshorns and Pond Snails of some kind in my tank. Originally, I really hated that they hitchhiked their way into my tanks but then I noticed they started eating the algae that grows on my glass after the crays start shredding the plants. And I really liked that (plus, they were kinda of neat to watch).

However, once the plants are gone and it's back to normal feedings for the crays, they turn their attention to the snails and in a day or so they're all gone.

So, I was wondering if they was any kind of snail that would eat algae (and plant matter - plants, veggies, algae waffers for when there's no algae) but wouldn't be so easily taken by a crayfish. Maybe something too big to be picked on, or something not easily pulled out of it's shell?

If there aren't any, I'm fine with that. I don't want to buy something (that isn't intentionally a feeder) to get eaten, you know?

Thanks!

 

[The Zigman]

Usually Algea is an issue with lighting...
What is the lighting on the tank, and how long do you leave the lights on everyday?

crays will eat anything they can catch, so keep that in mind..

 

[snoopy65]

MTS were the only snails I was able to keep with my P Alleni Dwarf crayfish. All others he would kill and eat. He was unable to eat the MTS though.

 

[black_sun]

Usually Algea is an issue with lighting...
What is the lighting on the tank, and how long do you leave the lights on everyday?

The tanks that get the algae have either light bars that read (120 VAC, 60 Hz, 17 W) on them. Or Coralife bulbs that are 10 watt (but their boxes say they create the same output as a 50 watt, don't know if that matters or not).

I generally turn the lights on around 10 or 11am and off around 8 or 9pm (so 10-11 hours they're on).

I originally thought the algae was due to the plants being shredded and there being floating debris or something to give the algae food. Because I don't really get it any other time than after I add new plants (but once it takes off, boy does it take off), which would lead me to believe it's not the lighting. But I don't know, me and plant life of any form rarely get along and I'm not particularly knowledgeable about many of them, heh.

Are there other factors in the tanks that might cause the algae growth, aside from lighting? Perhaps I have a bad combination of things that are creating a good environment for the algae?

crays will eat anything they can catch, so keep that in mind..

That's more a species by species thing. There's significantly more factors involved than most people think, and with several species that statement really isn't applicable. However, the tanks in question do house moderately aggressive species which have made it more than apparent that they love meat as much as veggies lol