Question about snail control

[SilverBlade86]

Hey there, recently I've been told that certain gasses in my tank in the gravel are bad for fish, and have been told that the Malaysian Trumpet Snail is excellent for removing it.

Now, I would like to ask a few questions:

1. How will I be able to control this snail in a tank filled with livebearers? (eg Guppies, Platties, Swordtails. I plan to have a 4f tank just filled to the brim with those 3 livebearers) I heard loaches are a good idea, but how much are they, what can they survive in etc? Any information will be good.

2. How may I acquire some? (Ironically, perhaps I should have brought some with me over to NZ before I moved)

3. I may have some WCMMs inside the tank, due to the snails and other fish in the tank there will probably be no chance of WCMM fry right?

Thanks for your time.

[sharn]

i would invest in some loaches if you dont want to be waiting until dark to pick out snails (when they come out). i only know of clown loaches (which get big but take many years and are quite sensitive) but i know theres more that i just cant remember the names of :lol:

if you know someone that has them in their tank you can grab a handful of gravel out and pick the snails out, or there are auctions for them on TM from time to time.

im not sure if they eat baby fish/eggs

[Devon]

i thought Mysery snails were quite large

[sharn]

Mystery snails are those ones that look like small brown apple snails. mine didnt do much other than cruise around the tank looking for a free meal of algae wafer :lol:

Malaysians look like little brown 'trumpets'

[Devon]

Oh ok yup. Ta

[Caryl]

Easier to do regular maintenance including using a siphon in the gravel. The snails work by burrowing through the substrate and releasing the gases before they cause problems. Regular gravel siphoning does the same thing - more thoroughly. You usually only get the gas problem in very deep substrate as it compacts over time.

[alextret]

Trumpet snails are quite cute in their own right.

I'm not sure if they are going to get to WCMM eggs. Mine are pretty much sticking to the bottom of the tank, but who knows ...

[sharn]

in my planted (sand for substrate) it will go off in about two weeks, and siphoning sand like you would gravel is quite hard :lol: thats why im getting some snails (friend has a tank with some in it). gravel is easier to maintain in that aspect IMO cause you can siphon it more vigerously (sp).

[herefishiefishie]

The trouble with trumpet snails is that they can get caught up in filters. The do have some benefits, but can get out of control.

Clown loaches are good.

Frenchy

[Alan]

Don't they J*****.

Thanks for the weekend, enjoyed you company and the experience.

Alan 104

[sharn]

do they Frenchy? i dont want them getting into my canister and stuffing my impellor. i dont care if they live in there but i like filters that work personally :lol:

[alanmin4304]

My planted tanks have sand substrate and only get a surfacee siphon very rarely and I have no problem with methane. The substrate is between 50 and 150 deep river sand. In my view the problem is caused by overstocking with fish or overfeeding or both. I feed very heavily in bare tanks if I want fish to grow rapidly.