snail question...

F

FLmomof2

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Apr 5, 2006
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We bought some plants not too long ago well maybe two-three months back so I guess it's been a while. We tried our best to take all the snails off and put them into the snail tank (used to breed snails for puffer food). We had even let the plants soak over night in a snail free bucket hoping to be sure we had them all off. Well nothing worked we now find ourselves taking 10-15 baby snails a day out of our big tank. I do not want to kill any of these snails but I was wondering if there is an easier way to get them. Currently we just pull them out as we see them near the top of the tank then put them into the snail tank. I've seen pet stores with cups in their tanks that always seem to be crawling with snails. I was hoping someone might know some way that I can get the snails onto or into something so I can get a large number at a time out.

Thanks..
 
Put a peice of lettuce in the tank overnight, they will migrate onto it then remove it in the morning. Keep doing this and you should get rid of them without killing them.
 
Some suggest placing a piece of lettuce on the tank floor when you turn the lights out for the night, you may have to weight it down.... when you get up in the morning, snails should be on it, simply remove the lettuce and do with it what ya want. It's said not to work all the time but it's a start.
 
Thank you all for your advice..

It looks as if we might be doing a full tank tear down to remove these :thud:

Looking into the tank this morning I saw what could only be about 50 or more of these little tiny speck of a snails on the bottom of the tank. There are some larger like pea size ones too. I really have NO IDEA where they are all coming from in my big tank the only thing I can think of is the plants that we put in there had eggs and they just hide really well when younger.

I read about doing a full tank tear down to get rid of snails and boy does it not sound fun.. boiling the gravel!... searching thru each plant for any spec of snail.

Any tips on a full tank tear down.... we were going to purchase a new tank soon so we'll have four tanks total then. Maybe it would be the least stressful on the fish if I get the new tank all set up cycle it then put the current fish into the new tank. Then I can do the tank tear down and then let it cycle and stock it.

Thanks..
 
WAIT... why are you tearing down the tank? What is the problem with having snails, and what species are in the tank now?

If they fit, you could add four pakistani (yo-yo) loaches and they will crash your snail population. Nice looking fish too... I usually wouldn't recommend adding stock to deal with snails, but you could either "rent" the loaches and bring them back for store credit once they've done their job... or keep them around for "snail Maintenance" it sounds like you have the tank space.
 
Any tips on a full tank tear down.... we were going to purchase a new tank soon so we'll have four tanks total then. Maybe it would be the least stressful on the fish if I get the new tank all set up cycle it then put the current fish into the new tank. Then I can do the tank tear down and then let it cycle and stock it.
Click to expand...

Not a good idea and not a necessary thing to do. First of all, Why do you hate snails so much, Secondly they can be gotten rid of without drastic measures. Snail eaters are one option as mentioned, but if they do not fit into your scheme, then use another option. I use algea wafers for snail bait, I put one in a glass and set it in the tank overnight. You can also hang a slice of zucchini on the tank wall and they will congregate. More importantly, remove the snail food (excess fish food and algea) and they will come to the traps faster.
For a lot of snail info check this link. there is some information about population control in the replies.

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=50705

dave
 
I don't really hate snails. I would even like to have an apple snail in the big tank but what we currently have is an huge over population of unknown type of snails. Today was tank cleaning day... just got done a little bit ago. When I was vacuuming the gravel in the big tank there were tons of baby snails sucking halfway up into the tube. I can't believe how many there are and I can only imagine there are more I can't see.

My daughters love the snails (they call them Gary's from sponge bob) but having this many in the tank can't be good for my tank. Also not knowign what kind they are I fear for my plants.

pakistani (yo-yo) loaches will those nip at my other fish? I'll have to look them up then call my LFS to see if they even have them.

Thanks
 
When some of the snails get bigger, the population will stop growing. I thought I was getting over run with snails too, but I have seen less now that I have a few larger ones. Don't do a tear down, they will probably still show up again anyway, since there are probably new eggs on the plants.

If you still want to try and remove them, try a piece of banana in a small cup. I put banana in my tank every once in a while its always covered in snails after a few hours.
 
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