Java Moss ...

[Inchworm]

I recently bought a nice piece of Java Moss for my fry tank. It appears to be doing well but yesterday I moved the fry to a larger tank (and to my horror) found a massive snail invasion. Until I moved the moss, I had no idea it was so bad. When I put the moss in a pan of water and shook it, literally hundreds of tiny snails came out. They are also in the tank, as I can see now, but that will be emptied and cleaned before I use it again anyway.

I'm wondering whether there might be some way to completely eliminate the snails without damaging the java moss or making it unfit to keep with another batch of fry. I was thinking that perhaps some commercial preparation might do the job now that it is out of the tank.

It's imperative that I eliminate all the snails because they are pond snails and dark ramshorns. I have red ramshorns that I was planning on trying in my fry tanks. If they reproduce at least there is a market for them. Unfortunately, they will breed with the dark ramshorns and the more desirable red strain will be ruined.

It's really a lovely plant, and I'd like to keep it, but if I can't get rid of all the snails it will have to go. I'm asking here instead of in the Invertebrates forum because since it is out of the tank now, the plant itself is my concern, not an established tank. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[modernhamlet]

From The Krib:

To guard against unwanted snails, use a weak potassium permanganate solution. The Manual of Fish Health recommends a concentration of 10 mg/l as a 10-minute bath as a general disenfectant for aquarium plants. Then rinse them in running water. This kills snail eggs and parasites and might guard against algae spores.

Alum is also useful. Get "Alum U.S.P." at the drug store. Soak the plants in a gallon of water that has up to 10 teaspoons of Alum. The Alum kills microscopic bugs. Longer soaks (2-3 days) will kill snail eggs and/or snails.

I think a few days in the alum might be just the ticket for your problem.

Good luck!

 

[Inchworm]

Hi modernhamlet

Thanks for your good advice. I added the alum to my shopping list and will let you know how it turns out.

 

[jimbooo]

or the short cut - fill a sink with very hot water, add a few drops of bleach.

chuck the moss in, swish it about for 2-3 mins and remove.

take a long hard look at the hundreads of snails on the enamel and pull the plug singing WEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee as they slide down the plughole.

then dump the moss in a pot of ice cold water with loads of dechlorinator. (repeat a few times to be safe)

put moss back in tank.

Java moss is very hardy, you wont be able to kill it. it may slow for a while but it will come back pretty quickly.

that wont help with the snails already in the tank though obviously, just sharing a regular maintenance trick of mine.. (works with riccia as well)