SnaKiZe

I have a Little, BIG problem.
I bought some Moss from some guy on Aquabid, I quarantined it for about a week before i added it into my tank, BUT some snails came for the ride.

At first i'm like snails? Cool! and now.. Snails ARE the substrate.

If it was my 55g tank i wouldnt mind, but this is my 10G tank.. there's just too many!

What can i use to kill them?

sirdarksol

I wouldn't suggest using chemicals to kill them.
The fact that they exploded like that suggests that there was too much detritus (often excess food) in the tank. I have pond snails in every one of my tanks, and I just let them be.
If you want to get rid of them, you can put a piece of lettuce in the tank, wait until a bunch have attached to it, pull it out, wash, rinse, and repeat.

SnaKiZe

Well, cuz my pleco isn't that active anymore, its not sick or anything its just because of the female molly after she had fry.

Since it doesn't eat as much, im dropping in algae wafers in every 3 nights or so after lights off...

Steve113

In the context of this thread, that makes no sense whatsoever...

sirdarksol

It kind of does make sense, Steve. I think Snakize is pointing out that there likely is an excess of food going into the tank to feed a pleco that isn't doing well (and, by the way Snakize, an herbivorous pleco that isn't interested in the algae on the walls of the tank likely is sick, even if it's not showing any other symptoms).
With fry in the tank, I would definitely not use chems to kill the snails. These products use copper, which is actually harmful to all types of life.
My best suggestion would be to add lettuce to the tank and periodically clean the snails off of it. The pleco might actually enjoy the addition, as well.

SnaKiZe

Well, the pleco DOES eat algae off the walls. I've observed it before. But it looks lethargic how ever? Probally from stress due to the molly being so aggressive.

SnaKiZe

BTW guys, Come give your feedback over here: I feel like a noob again! xD

sirdarksol

Try giving the aggressive mollies a time out. Put them in a breeder net, or put them in a bucket for an hour or so (use tank water), and then put them back. This will often "reset" their aggression for some reason.

Steve113

an algae biscuit every 3 days wouldn't cause that much excess waste I shouldn't think. (sorry, I think I misread/misunderstood the reply - didn't register as being a relavant reply due to the snail probs...)

My Plec east about 2 a day! But he's real greedy and I can't resist his huge "feed me" eyes! :P

How big is your plec?
Also, what else is in the 10g, seems like things might be a little tight in there (depending on the size of the plec / other tankmates...)

SnaKiZe

Lets see, I have 2 mollies, the Mom and the fry, a neon tetra, 3 danios, one pleco, and bunch of snails.

sirdarksol

I think the problem is a mixture of my concern and Steve's concern. Even if your fish are eating all of the food that's being put in there, their waste is still dumping a lot of nitrogen and phosphorous into the system (especially given the fact that you've got a bunch of herbivores), which algae uses to build huge colonies. The snails then capitalize on the algal bloom and eat the algae. I've got that going on with my Malaysian trumpet snails in my community tank. I added light, and the plants haven't yet caught up with the extra energy, so the algae is making up the difference. The trumpets then feast on the excessive algae.

SnaKiZe

So i guess i gotta go buy some lettuce!!

Plecolover12

They must have hitchikied on the moss you bought. It is better to buy plastic plants because I think they look nicer and are probably snail-free. This is just a suggestion.

sirdarksol

Definitely a personal opinion thing. I despise plastic plants, and don't have a single one in any of my tanks anymore.
In addition, livebearers have been known to become impaled on the plastic guppy grass they sell. It's odd, but it's not something that would ever happen with Java moss.

Steve113

I have both: One planted tank, and one synthetic and I must say, the synthetic plants look awful.

Not to mention the benefits to your tank water quality (however slight)

catbtony

Why do you want to get rid of the snails?? they eat left over food and don't bother plants unless they are dead. But if you just don't like them hand pick or get a puffer or a clown loches both will eat the snails if your tank can take them in. I raise snail for my puffers and Oscars and place one snail in each betta tank for cleaning it is better for the tank waste-vs-rotten food, just a thought...snail get a bad rep when they are really good for the tank eco sym.

sirdarksol

Neither would fit in a 10g tank, and a puffer wouldn't do well with any tankmates (as it would likely eat them).

SnaKiZe

Okay, I agree with you, I LOVE those suckers. but

As i said in my first post, the snails ARE the substrate. substrate is the gravel. Get the picture?