Snail question!

LennyD4 · 10/04/2011, 06:03 PM

My tank is starting to get some more algae in it, enough that its becoming very noticeable, which of course I know is inevitable. I have been waiting for this to pop up so that I could add some algae eating snails. Now its a fine coat on all of my rock, with none really on my tank yet.

Should I wait longer until I get a significant amount of algae so I dont kill the snails or can I add maybe 2 or 3 snails this weekend , only a low number so they dont starve to death ?

If so, what are the best kind of snails to get that I wont have to worry about flipping over but will do a formidable job?

cloak · 10/04/2011, 07:17 PM

I don't think you can go wrong with any of these. (turbo, astrea, trochus, cerith, margarita, nerite) Some do work harder than others though. On a side note, astrea snails can right themselves. It might take a little bit longer than others, but they can do it. If your tank is loaded with hermit crabs, then they might not be the best option.

LennyD4 · 10/04/2011, 07:41 PM

I only have 6 very small dwarf blue legged hermits, although I only see 3 at a time so not sure if they all made it.

tfrechette · 10/07/2011, 07:29 PM

I was reading in my invert book that margarita snails were not good for reef tanks. It says they can only tolerate short periods of warm water. Any thoughts on that?

dlp211 · 10/07/2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfrechette

I was reading in my invert book that margarita snails were not good for reef tanks. It says they can only tolerate short periods of warm water. Any thoughts on that?

This is true. They are a temperate species and will eventually pass in our tanks.

zigzag1 · 10/07/2011, 11:54 PM

If you have completed your cycle and have some visible algae on the glass, I would go ahead and get a few to start. I've tried lots of different snails and Trochus are by far the best IME. They are usually a little more expensive (~$3 ea) but well worth it. JMTC & GL!

LennyD4 · 10/08/2011, 05:45 AM

thanks zig zag, probably going today7 to get snails, no algae on glass yet, but I have it on my rocks.

cloak · 10/08/2011, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfrechette

I was reading in my invert book that margarita snails were not good for reef tanks. It says they can only tolerate short periods of warm water. Any thoughts on that?

What's the ambient? The halide over my 20 runs a little hot, but the amount of time for $1.49 a piece makes since. There not that fragile IMO.

10/04/2011, 06:03 PM	#1
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 633	Snail question! My tank is starting to get some more algae in it, enough that its becoming very noticeable, which of course I know is inevitable. I have been waiting for this to pop up so that I could add some algae eating snails. Now its a fine coat on all of my rock, with none really on my tank yet. Should I wait longer until I get a significant amount of algae so I dont kill the snails or can I add maybe 2 or 3 snails this weekend , only a low number so they dont starve to death ? If so, what are the best kind of snails to get that I wont have to worry about flipping over but will do a formidable job?

10/07/2011, 11:54 PM	#6
zigzag1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Anderson, Indiana Posts: 1,276	If you have completed your cycle and have some visible algae on the glass, I would go ahead and get a few to start. I've tried lots of different snails and Trochus are by far the best IME. They are usually a little more expensive (~$3 ea) but well worth it. JMTC & GL! __________________ :beer: Mixed Reef, started 10/2004: 6' BB 125g DT, 100lbs LR, 40g sump, Dual Ehiem 1000 returns, Eshopps dual overflow, JBJ ATO, Vertex IN-180, PM Ca reactor, 250w MH w/VHO Actinic, AC3 w/Aquasurf, Tunze 6105 pair & 40B frag tank 8 Fish, 20+ corals, shrimp, snails, worms, bugs, etc.

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10/04/2011, 07:17 PM	#2
cloak Moved On Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 14,854	I don't think you can go wrong with any of these. (turbo, astrea, trochus, cerith, margarita, nerite) Some do work harder than others though. On a side note, astrea snails can right themselves. It might take a little bit longer than others, but they can do it. If your tank is loaded with hermit crabs, then they might not be the best option.

10/04/2011, 07:41 PM	#3
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 633	I only have 6 very small dwarf blue legged hermits, although I only see 3 at a time so not sure if they all made it.

10/07/2011, 07:29 PM	#4
tfrechette Registered Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Jose Posts: 123	I was reading in my invert book that margarita snails were not good for reef tanks. It says they can only tolerate short periods of warm water. Any thoughts on that?

10/08/2011, 05:45 AM	#7
LennyD4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 633	thanks zig zag, probably going today7 to get snails, no algae on glass yet, but I have it on my rocks.