snails during a cycle?

Dangerdoll

Dangerdoll

Global Moderator
Aug 27, 2002
11,765
5
89
56
Roselle Park, NJ
aquariacentral.com
Real Name
Cori
ok, I'm about 3 1/2 weeks into fishless cycling my 40 gallon and last night I was looking in the tank and saw what appeared to be tons of microscopic snails. The eggs must've hitchiked on the rock I took from my established 55 gallon..... has anyone ever had this problem? I am only adding ammonia daily, how are they living without food or do they live off of it? And shouldn't the ammonia be keeping them away or not letting them thrive? Ugh, I feel like a newbie all over.... :(
 
Ammonia at fish tank levels won't phase snails, neither will nitrites, or even low levels of chlorine. Snails can and will live on bio-film, and microscopic algea, so they will reproduce and grow even in a new tank that hasn't been fed. bio-film estabilishes very quickly, so 3 + weeks in you probably have a good level in the tank. I imagine the initial population will not multiply quickly without added food or a lot of algea, but they will estabilish themselves and survive the cycle no problem.
dave
 
ok, well.... I plan on adding plants to this tank eventually..... is there any way to get rid of them before i start populating the tank with fish and/or plants while it's still cycling or would it be best to just leave it all alone? I mean, they're small enough where you can't even see them without being right up to the glass while squinting your eyes with a magnifying glass, I just don't want this huge explosion.... ya know? and I never thought this would happen.... not in a million years.....
 
TonyN said:
Just one Clown Loach and your snails will be history within two or three days.
Click to expand...
Actually, I have a couple Skunk Botias I was gonna add.... but I was wondering if there was a way to get rid of them before the cycle is complete and the plants and fish are added.

thanks for the link Dave....
 
Snails aren't bad guys at all. All of my planted tanks have them. I just keep my feedings to the minimum needed and the snails don't seem to be too much of a problem and never touch my live plants. And with some loaches they will just be treats for them. Think of it as establishing a snack bar for the loaches.
 
hmmmm.... nice idea TKOS... I guess I was worried about them exploding in population as I've seen others have had problems with. After reading the link though and remmebring that after your suggestion T, I feel a little more at ease with it. Thanks again folks ;)
 
Dangerdoll said:
ok, I'm about 3 1/2 weeks into fishless cycling my 40 gallon
Click to expand...

ugh.... wishful thinking... this is a 30 gallon..... I will be going larger in the future though...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom