Snails

Hi all,
1/ I have noticed some very very small snails on my carbon sponge over the last few weeks.I never had snails so I presume they hitched a ride with a fish or plant.
They are not out in the tank itself,as far as I can see, but should I be concerned ?
2/ The tank goes cloudy for about 24 hours after a 10% water change Again no apparent problems so I'm not too bothered - is this OK?

Thanks
Processor.
PS. I've had a very healthy tank since acting on the advice from the forum. Thanks to all especially Monty.

Ah snails, problem is that they can reproduce like rabbits and overrun a tank if not kept in check. Probably came in on plants or in water with a new fish..... There are a number of ways to keep them in check or get rid of them
1. Chemical - you can buy specific remedies for killing snails - don't like to use such things myself unless absolutely necessary - wouldn't recommend it but mention it to cover all bases
2. Trap them - place some cucumber in the tank and the snails will gather around this at night and you can physically remove them.
3. Fish that like snails for dinner - my favourite in this regard is the clown loach - loves snails. After introduction of them into my 1st tank where I had snails I never saw a snail (except for an empty shell) after a few days..

You mention they are in the filter - carbon sponge - well since I know you are running an external as well as the internal for starters clean the internal out - change the carbon sponge and rinse one of the top blue and one of the bottom blue sponges in tank water. For the other sponges check and remove snails that you see. Be sure not to rinse out all sponges as you don't want to remove all bacteria buildup. Then keep an eye on it... No need to panic unless they do start to overrun - which by the way can be an indicator that you are overfeeding as there is enough left for the snails...

Cloudy tank - hmm, depends.... Are you vacuuming the gravel when doing a water change ? If not then when you are putting water in then you may simply be disturbing the particles built up in the gravel and they take some time to be filtered or drop to the bottom again. Try when puuting the water in to pour slowly and not disturb the gravel and see if that makes a difference. Obviously check all water parameters - maybe before water change and on the water to be used in the change to check there are no nasty's. I know you have the tank running approx 6 months now so any dust that would have been left on the gravel should have worked it's way out..

And wrt to the 'Thanks to all especially Monty' - more than happy to help. Sure most of the problems you have had, we've all had an some time and what you're getting is largely based on experience (and some of it painful)....

Monty

Well I presume then that any snails that do get out from the filter into the tank itself are taken care of by the Loach - clever fellas.
As for the clouding I have sand not gravel so it makes sense that it is getting disturbed at change time. I always end up pouring the last 3 or 4 litres of new water in directly as opposed to the rest which is pumped in.

Your a great help
Thanks Monty.

My Zebra loaches do a real good job of keeping snails in check as well

Hi all ,

I have some small snails , don't fancy nukeing them with chemicals , quiet fancy the opportunity to add another fish or two , but I have read that Clown Loaches will eat plants + are Ich prone and some sites say that Zebra Loaches are fin nippers .
Should I take a chance with one of these , what is the minimum no. for a happy group ? Are there other possibilities ?
If push comes to shove , I could pick the snails out , or squash them!

pjq
180l 3platy 3danio 4guppy 2neon 1albino shark 2 molly 4 pristella tetra

All loach species are prone to ich. Zebra loach, (if you mean striata) are nippy, as alot of loach are, mostly towards angels, gouramis etc. slow moving sp. annoying them esp. at feeding times! your guppys might get harrassed by zebra loach, clowns would be better imo, make sure you get plump specimens, buy a group of 6 or so and look out for whitespot!!!!! give them plenty of places to hide and they should be fine but no hollow ornaments as they usually get stuck with their spines under the eyes!!!!

Puffer fish are very good at getting rid of your snail problem. Don't know about loaches but heard conflicting reports.
Your cloudy water is down to fine sand particles, I think. Nothing to woory about

true, but nearly all are fin nippers, so if you use them be careful!!!! could try pygmy puffers, can be hit or miss, but keep them well fed or they will nip!!!!

Scobiansistrus also feed on snails. Don't know about availiblity though

scobiancistrus aureatus??? did nt know about feeding on snails, but they do eat prawns n other meat stuff, so i suppose!!!
if you want them p.m, me!!!

When pouring wtaer into the tank put your hand in the water flat and pour the water onto your hand, very effective.

If you have a Large Jewel tank they have this handy cross member thing that I pour onto.

Seratus,
Thanks for the offer but I wont make it to Wicklow , but scobiancistrus aureatus would quickly outgrow the tank ?( from what I've read). Are they expensive ? and more importantly easy to care for ( I'm a beginner) . I suppose that I'm asking for the impossible , a fish that mangles little snails but is kind to plants and guppy tails. Any candidates on this list www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/4742/snail_faq.html .

To cut to the chase , I decided to chance the Clown Loaches but brought my 3 yr nephew .... the Lady at the LFS talked me out of the nipping Loaches and the 3 yr old talked me into 2 dwarf frogs and a "glass kissing" Plec. I realise that my will power is not going to fix the snails !
pjq

They are one of the hardiest Lnos, but can get 14+" Easier to get sub adults/adults than juvs usually about €50-€80 for sub adults €250-€350 for XL adults stunning plec when HUGE-14+"!!!!!!!!!

In my opinion you won't go wrong with the clown loach and they'd fit in well with your tank.

I got them on Monty's advice and as soon as they were in the snails dissappeared. Still some to be found in the filter but that's no problem plus they are full of character and great fun to watch especially when you see their sleeping arrangements. I have one couple who must be married they only sleep together and during the day one (preumably the female - sorry ladies) spends the rest of the day pushing and nudging the other around.

As for being nippers maybe they are supposed to be but never had that problem with any of mine.....As Serratus says 'fish don't read books' .

Processor.