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Alright here goes my first thread.....

Months ago, my bf and I were given a 10gl tank w/ accessories, to house our betta fish. Knowing we were going to have this huge tank for such a lonesome fish we bought 3 sets of different tetras to 'bunk' with him. He's been fine, no over aggression with the other fish besides the odd time he will chase them away from 'his spot' in the tank. But after a while the tank looked empty...so we decided to spruce it up a bit and went to a pet super store and bought some real nice live plants. With a slow proccess of setting them up we were happy with the interior decorating we had done and enjoyed the view.

Now is when it gets weird....

WE HAVE SNAILS!!!! and lots of them...two different kinds. We understand they came from the plants but HOLY]:| Someone tell me why and if we should buy more live plants or switch to fake...someone give some good advice and other fish you would recommend to add with a betta?

Last edited by chunkybunk at 17-Jan-2005 11:13

Hi Chunkybunk, welcome to FP

First off, a few questions for you: what kinds of tetras do you have? How many of each? Is the tank cycled? What are your ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, and pH readings?

As you may or may not know, tetras (or any schooling fish for that matter) are best kept in groups of 6 or more. I know many fish stores say 3 or more, but 6 or more really is better. Your tank, being a 10g, doesn't allow for a whole lot of fish before reaching your stocking limit. Factors that determine whether your tank is overstocked or not are: number of fish, maximum sizes of each fish, filtration, and amount of plants.

I know that is a lot of information to absorb, but don't get discouraged. If you can, answer as many of my questions as possible, report back, and I or someone else will come along and help you with your next step, one step at a time.

Now, to answer your questions... Yes, the snails came in with the plants. That is a very common occurance in the hobby. The most popular (in my opinion anyway) way to control a snail population is by getting snail eating fish, usually some type of loach. Unfortunately, your tank wouldn't really provide adequate room for a group of them (loaches prefer to be in groups of their own kind). Here's a trick that I've never actually tried myself, but have heard it works quite well: put a piece of lettuce or cucumber on a saucer in the tank and leave it for a couple days. The snails will flock to the vegetable, you lift the saucer right out and voila! say goodbye to the snails. This will never get rid of every snail, but it will help control their population. Actually, if you have any Malaysian Trumpet Snails, they will be very beneficial to your tank. They will eat algae but not the plants.

I hope that helps you. Good luck

><>Dani<><

EDIT: Thanks, Frank. Is that better? The new link goes to franksaquarium.com It's not your ssite, is it?

Last edited by gartenzwerfe at 17-Jan-2005 09:08

Hi Dani,
You might want to double check the link to the MTS.
When I click on it, I get a Site Cannot be Found
error.
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Alright the tetras...we have 3 neon, 3 glo lites and 3 larger sized ones but the name excapes me...and as for the other big words you used..I feel bad but I have never tested...

They are all in the tank together so therefore there is a group of 9...Wrong? Or is that ok?

And the snails....Where can I get some of those miracle snails? They seem like they would help and look very beautiful! Get back to me!

Unfortunately, they need to be in groups of their own species. I'd say if you get rid of (by get rid of I mean take them back to the LFS -- no flushing!!! ) the larger 3, then get 3 more neons and 3 more glo lites, you'd have a nicely stocked tank. Just make sure you keep up with your maintenance.

As for the testing of ammonia, nitrate, nitrite and pH, many LFS will do that for free or for a small charge. The sample you take in doesn't need to be more than half a cup.

I still ask, is the tank cycled? Did you read up on it through the link I provided? To put it very simply, a cycled tank means a bacteria colony has been established in the tank that eats the ammonia the fish put out as waste. Since your tank has been set up so long, it must be by now. You just need to make sure the ammonia levels aren't spiking.
http://honors.montana.edu/~weif/firsttank/cycle.phtml &lt;&lt;&lt; another site that talks about cycling

The MT snails... again, use your LFSs as resources. When they get plant shipments in, they usually pick out as many snails as they can, since they're seen as pests. Just ask them if you can have some. In my experiences they look at you a little funny and say "you can have all you want".

&gt;&lt;&gt;Dani&lt;&gt;&lt;

Last edited by gartenzwerfe at 17-Jan-2005 12:30

Little info on the trumpet snails. They usually stay in the substrate during the day, which is usually really good because they help eat uneaten food that the fish don't get to.

Also, look around at different stores. Many will get them in and want them gone. I've been to a couple stores where they have let me sit at the tank and pull them out myself. If you have many LFS around you like I do, 9 times out of 10 at LEAST one store will have some. Also, some stores have taken note to the usefulness of the MTS and will CHARGE for them. If you can avoid paying, do so.

MTS are livebearing snails, and multiply FAST, so you don't need many.

HTH

~ Jorge

-About the plants you should buy more. You must make sure you check to see if theres any snails on them. Taking out the live plants and slipping in fake will not help the snail problem. The best way imo to get rid of snails is too take out as many by hand and set traps to catch as many snails as possible.


==fish1[hr width='90%'][hr width='40%'][hr width='20%']

OK welcome to FP

Here are a couple of quick pictures...

If you have these, leave them be. They are Malaysian Trumpet Snails (MTS).


If it looks like this smush it, mush it, flush it, just get rid of it!!!


Have fun, and good luck, Heidi[/font][/font]

"I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom." Thomas Carlyle

Thank you very much all of you and I have been well informed...and plan on taking suggestions from everyone and putting it towards my tank...Thank you again...

-The chunkster

Snails are Pests &amp; they multiply very fast.



http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

I have the same problem in my 20-gallon tank. I asked someone at my local fish store and he recommended "Had A Snail" to add to my tank water. It only put a dent in the population, which multiplies fast, so didn't do much good. The lettuce on a saucer sounds like a really good idea, though! And since I don't have much room in my tank for more fish either I just might try that! :-)