Will Mystery Snails Keep My Tank Cycled?

[iamgroovy]

I just finished cycling (fishless, of course) a 5 gal tank my mother gave me. I intend to house a betta in it but not right away. If I put say, 3 or 4 full grown mystery snails in the tank, will they be enough to keep the tank cycled?
I realize I will probably have a bacteria die off, but that's not big deal as long as some of the bacteria survive until I get the betta.

I haven't purchased one yet because the bettas in the lfs around here look so sickly(and I get very attached to my fish ). I'm considering buying from a breeder. Anyone know a good, reasonable betta breeder? I'd appreciate any leads!

Thanks all!

 

[dougall]

my vote would be to dose ammonia until you're ready to house your betta

 

[patoloco]

A tank will reamin "cycled enough" according to your bioload. If you keep the snails, the bacteria colony will be big enough to handle the snails wastes. If you add a betta, the bacteria will slowly grow to meet their requirements.

The same happens when you add new fish to an stablished aquarium. If you add too many fish the bacteria will not be enough to eat all the ammonia for some days, but will eventually grow. The bad part is you can get an ammo/nitrite spike during those days. that's why you are encouraged to add new fish slowly.

 

[Roan Art]

I keep a mystery snail in my smallest QT tank. When I have to QT I just take the snail out and plop him wherever I have space. I usually add a a bit more filter media or whatnot to the QT tank, depending on what I'm throwing in there.

The tank is only 2.5g, so I can't put any more than 1 fish in there unless they're very small and the largest I have is about 3". I do like the idea that the tank has some beneficial bacteria in it already.

When I'm done, I clean the tank, add some more junk from another tank and plop him back in. He's my QT Keeper

Roan

 

[patoloco]

When I have to hospitalize a fish, I take my filter and small tank from the closet, set it up with water (new tap water or tankwater, depending on my intentions), start the filter with new media, and there you go.

A hospitalized fish will be there for a short time, (10-15 days max) and will be receiving regular water changes (more than the main tank), so there would be no ammo/nitrite to worry about.

Just my 2 cents, a personal opinion.

 

[patoloco]

I just take the snail out and plop him wherever I have space.

I imagine you Roan, trowing your snail 20 ft. away from the tank and hearing the "plop" sound as it enters the water.
:joke:

 

[iamgroovy]

Thanks for your thoughts. I was planning on removing the snails when I add the betta. Or Maybe I'll just keep feeding the tank ammonia.
Thanks again!

 

[Roan Art]

I imagine you Roan, trowing your snail 20 ft. away from the tank and hearing the "plop" sound as it enters the water.
:joke:

ROFL! You made me spray my latte! :soda:

Roan