Snails!

[Bigdave84]

Help i seem to have a huge build up of snails, im not too sure how i have come to aquire them but they are everywhere.
I have had everything out of the tank apart from the gravel and washed them, i removed a lot of them while i was doing this. One day later and there are loads more. I bought 2 Assassin Snails but they dont seem to be helping, is there anything else i can do?

 

[KittyKat]

Most likely, feeding your fish less would make quite a dent in the snail population.
 
What's the tank stock and what's your feeding schedule?

 

[Bigdave84]

6 fish in a 45ltr tank and I feed them flakes twice a day.

 

[betta fish]

Pop a pic up of the snails so we can ID them for you, some snails are beneficial for a tank and will not do any harm, they are not all bad

 

[Bigdave84]

Hope this helps

 

[Meeresstille]

When did you add the assassin snails? Maybe you just need to give them more time!

 

[Francesjane]

It looks like the little tadpole snails I have.... If I see them I pick them out and flush them down the toilet as my thoughts are they will get flushed somewhere that they can happily live? I hope so...I am a real softie and can't just put them in the bin or crush them.... I haven't too many and they don't really do any harm but won't let them get too big either.

 

[Meeresstille]

Francesjane, I don't think the snails are happy where they go after you flush them. They go to the water treatment plants. It would be kinder to crush them. I know it isn't a pleasant thing to do!

 

[NeonBlueLeon]

Twice a day is kind of a lot, but that depends on the quantity of each feeding.  Like mentioned, feeding less will eventually control the population better.  Assassins work gradually as well, not overnight.  In my experience, breaking down a tank doesn't always mean you get rid of snails.  I've learned to love them anyway!
 
Anyone with snails they don't want can send them my way.  I've got a hungry puffer to feed

 

[bigcheed]

give your assasins a chance. they are very effective. and over time will completly demolish your snail problem. i have four in my 10 g. cant get my hands on enough pest snails to feed them. my local pets at home have have stopped giving them to me.lol

 

[Karoti]

Feeding less (rather than less often), would help reduce the snail population explosion.  Clown Loach may work quicker than your assassin snails.

 

[the_lock_man]

Feeding less (rather than less often), would help reduce the snail population explosion.  Clown Loach may work quicker than your assassin snails.

 
The first sentence, yes absolutely. The second sentence, no, clown loaches are not suitable for a 45l tank.

 

[Bigdave84]

Thanks I'll give them a chance. I didn't think clown loaches would be suitable for my tank. Thanks everyone

 

[Mamashack]

Assassin snails are notoriously slow but they do get there in the end. Any escapees I find are crushed against the tank wall and left as fish food.

 

[Bigdave84]

How many assassins would be a good number, we have got 2 but i have only seen 1 for a couple of days, there are roughly 10 snails invading (lol)