power head = snail terminator

Kuhlifan

Kuhlifan

AC Members
Mar 28, 2007
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Ohio
I was doing the weekly water change on my work tank this morning and cleaned about a dozen or more empty shells from the intake of a small powerhead. I have an aquaclear 10 suction cupped to the back wall of the tank for circulation. Originally, it was as close to the gravel as possible. I wanted to mimic an undergravel jet effect by keeping the bottom stirred up to help the filter remove solid wastes. However, my intake kept getting plugged, so I moved it about three or four inches above the substrate. Then I started notincing more snail shells, and it dawned on me, the little goobers are crawling over the intake and either getting stuck or simply sucked out of their shells!

I guess that's an easy form of snail control.....
 
You can always use a prefilter if you want to prevent the powerhead from drawing in snails.
 
I thought about getting one, but in a five gallon hex, a prefilter will be almost as big as the tank.
 
pantyhose might help.
 
Thats pretty good for someone who does not want snails... lol
 
Snail shells can also block the impeller in your filter, and cause the motor to burn out. I would definitely put something on the intake, to reduce the snails from entering the intake tube. As stated, pantyhose (boiled) will work, also a fine mesh media bag (for a canister type filter) also works well. I use canister foam inserts, cut down to fit over the intake. They have plenty of surface that promotes bacteria growth, and with bi weekly rinsing they continue to function for a very long time.

I occasionally get a tiny MTS shell that makes it's way through the foam, but the impeller's just crush it up without any problems. At the same time, tiny shrimp are able to avoid being sucked up because the water flow is difused enough.
 
Sorry, I didn't mention that there is a screen over the intake. The aquaclear has a little half bubble with a slitted opening that is over the intake, so they aren't getting into the powerhead, just building up on the intake slits.
 
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