Snails in my tank
- Thread starter pmcsomething
- Start date
Have you bought any new plants recently? That's how I got the snails in my tanks... they piggy-backed their way in there.
Definitely don't use any chemicals to get rid of the snails!
There's fish out there that eat snails... but you have to think about what you'd do after they eat the snails.... and if your tank is big enough for them, etc... so I wouldn't recommend this method.
There's ways to 'trap' them and get them out. I usually just take them out myself whenever I see them. A couple of snails don't bother me, since they help eat algae... but they do reproduce like crazy! If you overfeed your fish, they'll become a problem.
What I recommend, is taking them out as you see them. If you see any snail eggs, get rid of them (usally on glass, plants, ornaments, etc...). Don't overfeed your fish, and it won't be a problem either.
I hope this helps some. I'm sure others will chime in with better advice.
Definitely don't use any chemicals to get rid of the snails!
There's fish out there that eat snails... but you have to think about what you'd do after they eat the snails.... and if your tank is big enough for them, etc... so I wouldn't recommend this method.
There's ways to 'trap' them and get them out. I usually just take them out myself whenever I see them. A couple of snails don't bother me, since they help eat algae... but they do reproduce like crazy! If you overfeed your fish, they'll become a problem.
What I recommend, is taking them out as you see them. If you see any snail eggs, get rid of them (usally on glass, plants, ornaments, etc...). Don't overfeed your fish, and it won't be a problem either.
I hope this helps some. I'm sure others will chime in with better advice.
Isnt chlorine bleach bad for the plants? And I would think that the water temp and pressure needed to throughly rinse it wouldnt be good for it either, i dont know so thats why i am asking. If not maybe I will do this next time.
I bought a few live plants and got quite a few snails from that and they seem to be multiplying like crazy. I have catfish that are supposed to eat them but they are in a different tank and everytime i pick them out and drop them into the catfish tank the oscars snatch them up first.
but if your interested striped raphael catfish are supposed to eat snails but they can grow fairly large, up to 8in. They are a peaceful catfish that i only see once every few weeks since they are almost completely nocturnal.
I bought a few live plants and got quite a few snails from that and they seem to be multiplying like crazy. I have catfish that are supposed to eat them but they are in a different tank and everytime i pick them out and drop them into the catfish tank the oscars snatch them up first.
but if your interested striped raphael catfish are supposed to eat snails but they can grow fairly large, up to 8in. They are a peaceful catfish that i only see once every few weeks since they are almost completely nocturnal.
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What kind of snails are they? Pond snails are easier to get rid of than trumpet snails. For pond snails you just put a piece of lettuce at the bottom of the tank every night and just pick up the snails hanging on. Eventually you'll get them under control.
Trumpet snails won't go to the lettuce. You might need to get a couple of loaches and cut back on your feedings. They clean up the left over food, so if there isn't any leftover food they won't repopulate.
I got invaded by MTS and still have them. Once they take over there's not a lot you can do except keep them under control. Also, they can be good for the aquarium by removing the waste and keeping algae down.
Trumpet snails won't go to the lettuce. You might need to get a couple of loaches and cut back on your feedings. They clean up the left over food, so if there isn't any leftover food they won't repopulate.
I got invaded by MTS and still have them. Once they take over there's not a lot you can do except keep them under control. Also, they can be good for the aquarium by removing the waste and keeping algae down.
some people go with the slice of veggie on a string trick. toss in a piece of blanched lettuce or cucumber before you go to bed, then in the morning when you turn the lights on you pull it out and there should be some snails on it. some people say it doesn't really work, others have had success, but worth a try. don't add a fish to solve your problem unless you have the space and requirements to house it.
I use a chlorine based bleach 1 part bleach to 10 parts water and dip the plants for about 30 seconds and then I just soak the plants in water and prime (since it's chlorine the prime breaks it down just like it would the chlorine in your tap water) and then rinse gently in water and into the tank it goes. It's worked well for me. Lotus I think pointed out on another thread that vineger and water would work just as well. I'll have to try the hot cold method too and see if that works.
I've never had a problem with snails at all though or anything else coming over with the plants from the fish store tanks.
I've never had a problem with snails at all though or anything else coming over with the plants from the fish store tanks.
I may actually be able to help someone finally.
If you want to get rid of the snails...and they WILL reproduce like crazy...do the "Shot Glass Trick"
Get a Glass Shot or Shooter Glass. Put a few Algae Discs in it and place it in the tank. When the lights go out, the snails go for the algae disc. The glass should have snails in it by morning.
Another thing you can do is Clip a piece of lettuce to a Dinner Plate. Same thing, the snails will be all over the lettuce by morning.
Repeat until no more snails show up in the morning.
If you want to get rid of the snails...and they WILL reproduce like crazy...do the "Shot Glass Trick"
Get a Glass Shot or Shooter Glass. Put a few Algae Discs in it and place it in the tank. When the lights go out, the snails go for the algae disc. The glass should have snails in it by morning.
Another thing you can do is Clip a piece of lettuce to a Dinner Plate. Same thing, the snails will be all over the lettuce by morning.
Repeat until no more snails show up in the morning.
