I got a shipment of plants from floridadriftwood.com, I didn't notice any snails and didn't bother with the bleach dip (not that I would have anyway).
So!
I noticed within a few days that there were some snails sliding around in my new setup.
I figured there was no harm in leaving them in for a little bit (because there were a bunch and I knew I'd miss some anyway!) and at lease they'd help the cycle get going.
Now it appears I have about 30-60 of them in my 15L tank, I had some problems getting my plants situated so there was some die-off of plants and I'm happy if they scavenge this up.
I see the snails on my glass quite a lot, and from time to time climbing over the stems and leafs of my plants (glosso, java fern, small swords).
I have yet to see them touch my background - cement over styrofoam, but they have no problem on the styrofoam backing. I'm wondering if they can sense the chemicals so they stay away from the treated side!
Right now they are all to small for me to identify, roughly 3 could fit abreast on a dime.
Questions:
1) How can I recognize if they are eating the plant vs just grazing on the algae on them?
2) if I were to opt to remove them, would you recommend just picking out the ones that get to cherry size and putting them outside - or just go for a snail-b-gone juice product? where do I take them to dispose of them?
in the tank are:
2 mollies
glosso covering a 3"x12" at about 15% density
3 small sword plants - Echinodorus bleheri w/ 3" leaves (will be moved to a 55g when they grow to 12"+)
2 java fern w/ 5" leaves
single runner of Marsilea minuta that is about 3" and a a patch of it that is about 1sq" (ps I really like the way this looks and is growing!)
I run no filtration at all, but I do have a HOT magnum with a water polisher media in place if I ever feel the need for current. I figured I'd let the plants root before I turned it on...although I'm not sure there will even be a need for it.
I have my tank temp somewhere in the 78-82 degree range.
Haven't added salt (yet)
and am running DIY co2 since its such a small tank.
btw, I built a small passive reactor which seems to work great!!! much to my chagrin! I took one of those 3" tall clear plastic herb/spice bottles that was empty, cut it in half, poked a hole in the top, put my tubing through, air stone at the bottom, and used a nail to prick about 20 tiny holes in it (for circulation), the airstone releases the air, it travels up and 95% of it gets caught in this umbrella mechanism/spice container where it waits to be absorbed into the water stream! I try to keep the spice w/ about 1/2 of co2 in it during the day, and turn it off (needle valve) at night! so far so good!
Sorry for the long post, to much coffee today.
So!
I noticed within a few days that there were some snails sliding around in my new setup.
I figured there was no harm in leaving them in for a little bit (because there were a bunch and I knew I'd miss some anyway!) and at lease they'd help the cycle get going.
Now it appears I have about 30-60 of them in my 15L tank, I had some problems getting my plants situated so there was some die-off of plants and I'm happy if they scavenge this up.
I see the snails on my glass quite a lot, and from time to time climbing over the stems and leafs of my plants (glosso, java fern, small swords).
I have yet to see them touch my background - cement over styrofoam, but they have no problem on the styrofoam backing. I'm wondering if they can sense the chemicals so they stay away from the treated side!
Right now they are all to small for me to identify, roughly 3 could fit abreast on a dime.
Questions:
1) How can I recognize if they are eating the plant vs just grazing on the algae on them?
2) if I were to opt to remove them, would you recommend just picking out the ones that get to cherry size and putting them outside - or just go for a snail-b-gone juice product? where do I take them to dispose of them?
in the tank are:
2 mollies
glosso covering a 3"x12" at about 15% density
3 small sword plants - Echinodorus bleheri w/ 3" leaves (will be moved to a 55g when they grow to 12"+)
2 java fern w/ 5" leaves
single runner of Marsilea minuta that is about 3" and a a patch of it that is about 1sq" (ps I really like the way this looks and is growing!)
I run no filtration at all, but I do have a HOT magnum with a water polisher media in place if I ever feel the need for current. I figured I'd let the plants root before I turned it on...although I'm not sure there will even be a need for it.
I have my tank temp somewhere in the 78-82 degree range.
Haven't added salt (yet)
and am running DIY co2 since its such a small tank.
btw, I built a small passive reactor which seems to work great!!! much to my chagrin! I took one of those 3" tall clear plastic herb/spice bottles that was empty, cut it in half, poked a hole in the top, put my tubing through, air stone at the bottom, and used a nail to prick about 20 tiny holes in it (for circulation), the airstone releases the air, it travels up and 95% of it gets caught in this umbrella mechanism/spice container where it waits to be absorbed into the water stream! I try to keep the spice w/ about 1/2 of co2 in it during the day, and turn it off (needle valve) at night! so far so good!
Sorry for the long post, to much coffee today.
I've *heard* (no concrete evidence, now) that SBG and similar products can damage a bacteria colony, but I haven't seen any proof of that yet.
