How To Eliminate Snails From A Plant Before It Goes Into The Tank...

[eaglesaquarium]

I want to buy some Crypts, which are only available from one store around me, but they have snails in the same tank - tiny ones too. I don't want snails. I don't like them at all. What do I need to do to make sure there are no snails that hitchhike there way into my tank?

 

[Mikaila31]

You could give the plants a copper bath, but there is really no 100% method to kill snails. There eggs for example would likely survive the treatment. It also usually just takes one snail to reproduce. Though IMO every planted tank should have snails. They preform very valuable services and are a natural organism in the ecosystem.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

If you wouldn't mind, would you please sell me on the merits of having snails in a planted tank? (Not to sound rude or anything - I just don't get it.)


First, I am worried about an "infestation". Granted, I understand that only happens if you overfeed, so it shouldn't be an issue.
Second, I don't like the look of them.
Third, I thought they ate plants, which in my lightly planted tank, would be a major negative - I think.
Fourth, I would prefer my bioload to be reserved for fish that I want to see, rather than snails that I don't.


Any help understanding the role of the snail as anything other than a pest species would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bazza57]

I would add one of the small dorad catfish for a chemical free solution.

Amblydoras Hancockii or Agamyxis pectinifrons (AKA Acanthadoras spinosissimus) which will eliminate the snails. Neither get too big (averaging 2-3") & are relatively harmless to all but the smallest of fish.

There is the risk that they may disturb the plants, but if they are well established, they are unlikely to cause any disruption if you provide small hiding places such as caves etc.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I just did a quick google search and they are listed at 6 inches and 5.5 inches respectively.

 

[StandbySetting]

If it were me I really wouldn't bother doing anything, snails are your best friend in a planted set up and providing there's no decaying matter and you don't over feed you wont even notice that they're there.

 

[ian]

I employ a couple of Assassin snail, to do the hard work.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

Again, if someone could enlighten me to exactly what role the snails provides specifically I'd appreciate it. Please tell me.


The fighting fire with fire irony is lost on me. I really don't like the look of snails. Bringing one snail into the tank to combat another is kind of like smacking your thumb with a hammer to take your mind off your headache. Admittedly though, the assassins are nicely colored in the shell... but my concern is more related to what they look like on the glass.

 

[StandbySetting]

Well they'll eat soft algae, and their numbers are easily controlled, without doing a copper dip it is inevitable that you'll get some snails, I have them in my tank, and I don't know that they're there without looking closely.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

What is "soft algae"?

 

[StandbySetting]

Diatoms etc, algae this is easily removed.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

ok. Thanks.

 

[Mikaila31]

Snails eat algae as well as protein build up or 'surface scum'. They also consume any dying plant matter keeping the tank looking clean. Any tank without snails IMO looks unnatural. In any wild ecosystem there are snails and they are usually detrivours. They are there for a reason. They help provide the overall balance to a tank when everything in the system works together to function in a steady state. Certain species like MTS will also burrow in gravel and as a result provide aeration in gravel and have a 'turning over' effect.

 

[eaglesaquarium]

I will have to think about it more... Maybe they aren't so bad. This morning my 5 year old son out of the blue asked if we could have snails in the tank?! I wonder he he has been reading my posts on here. Either that or he is reading my mind. (I guess I am biased against snails because of my history of gardening and slugs constantly attack my healthy lettuce plants!)

 

[StandbySetting]

slugs constantly attack my healthy lettuce plants!)

I know how you feel, I had to put Copper piping around my raised bed to try and stop them and they still get in, the birds peck the crap out of my lettuce too!