Snails and cycling

[Wycco]

General question:

Are snails more or less sensitive to ammonia? I'm doing fishless cycling before adding any fish- but still want to add my more tolerant animals first- just in case, as a newbie I screw all this up.

I know snails will eat a variety of foods- but I assume they like a slightly matured aquarium for the algae and other yummies that exist.

How are they with ammonia spikes though- is the slightest spike going to wipe them out- or are they about or more tolerant than your typical fish.


If they are more tolerant and ammonia doesn't bother them- has anyone ever tried snail cycling?

 

[bettabrat]

I believe ammonia is just as bad for snails as it is for fish.

 

[Lupin]

I believe ammonia is just as bad for snails as it is for fish.

:iagree: MTS are your best bet. They're nearly indestructible.erv:

 

[Wycco]

Thanks- I'll try keeping my cycle ammonia a little lower than recommended to not stress him too much and putting one MTS in a small container that allows water in/out but won't let the snail escape to see if they survive. (don't want him to hide in the sand and then die).

It may make my cycle last a little longer- but I don't want to be cruel- even to an MTS- even if it IS in the name of science.

Googling came up with other people who have cycled with MTS in the tank- so I'm not treading new ground. But want to see for myself before I risk the lives of innocent snails.

It'll be good to see if MTS can tolerate the cycle.

I'll get a dozen and keep them in a jar until the cycle completes- unless they prove they can stay alive for a week or more in the cycling aquarium.


All I need now are the snails!

 

[Dopehand]

Just keep in mind, if you use MTS............YOU SHALL FOREVER AND ALWAYS HAVE MTS

 

[Wycco]

Just keep in mind, if you use MTS............YOU SHALL FOREVER AND ALWAYS HAVE MTS

Thank you for the warning.

Yes I want to forever have MTS... I do understand some people hate them- but I'm planning on using sand and understand that they do many good things for sand.

If they ever get out of hand- I'll cut back on feeding and maybe get some assassins- I know that won't get rid of them all- but should help.

 

[Lupin]

LOL...It's funny since all my MTS were wiped out by the canas in the cana tank and then as for assassins, only newborn ones can survive until then. Like I said, MTS will breed readily. One dead MTS won't make much impact on the water chemistry compared to many but they're still indestructible critters so don't worry about them used in cycles.

 

[msjinkzd]

MTS will be fine, most common snails will survive through cycling its the fancy snails (bridgesii, nerites, etc) which are intolerant of swings in parameters.

 

[deeleywoman]

well, crap! if i'd known this, i'd've gotten them weeks ago, when i was dying to see life in my tank lmao

 

[Wycco]

well, crap! if i'd known this, i'd've gotten them weeks ago, when i was dying to see life in my tank lmao

Well if they hide in the substrate as much as everyone says they do- I don't think there would be much excitement from them.