Dang It, Unexpected Friends.

So I didnt clean my plants when I purchased them because there was a lot of conflict and discussion on what exactly to use that would solve the problem but not kill the plants. I decided to skip it and just rinse them and inspect them.
Well now I have all uninvited friends that everyone talks about. I removed 1 big one, 1 medium sized one and a tiny one, and alllll the eggs I found around the edge of the top of my tank.
I don't have fish in it yet. How do I get rid of them all for good ?

 

Usually an assassin snail will get rid of them easy peasy.

They have this thing called "Snail Trap", too. Another method would be putting in a piece of boiled cucumer or zucchinI and letting it sit for 1-2 hours, then collecting it and throwing it away (the snails will all be on it, usually).

What do you plan on putting in the tank? Puffers and some loaches will eat the snails, as well as bettas.

 

Usually an assassin snail will get rid of them easy peasy.

They have this thing called "Snail Trap", too. Another method would be putting in a piece of boiled cucumer or zucchinI and letting it sit for 1-2 hours, then collecting it and throwing it away (the snails will all be on it, usually).

What do you plan on putting in the tank? Puffers and some loaches will eat the snails, as well as bettas.

Thanks for the help!! I am planning to add peaceful community fish, which I know won't help so I will be getting assassin snails this weekend!

 

Hello,
I don't agree with the whole Assassin snail route - having had them, they TOO breed and you will end up with another set of problems! Assassins lay eggs as well and they are just as hard to get rid of, resulting in 50 + babies each time and having to feed them a carnivorous diet when they are born. Plus even if you buy one, there's a good chance it can be female and can come from the store already ready to lay eggs. Unless you have a massive snail problem, then I would not suggest that route.

I would suggest doing the bottle method. I have done this successfully and works great. You load a water bottle up with food ( algae wafers work great since they sink ) and wait until you have a bottle full ( mine usually took the bait within a few days ) then just dispose of the entire bottle. As for the egg sacs, you can use a water changer/vacuum and suction them out as needed.

 

Hello,
I don't agree with the whole Assassin snail route - having had them, they TOO breed and you will end up with another set of problems! Assassins lay eggs as well and they are just as hard to get rid of, resulting in 50 + babies each time and having to feed them a carnivorous diet when they are born. Plus even if you buy one, there's a good chance it can be female and can come from the store already ready to lay eggs. Unless you have a massive snail problem, then I would not suggest that route.

I would suggest doing the bottle method. I have done this successfully and works great. You load a water bottle up with food ( algae wafers work great since they sink ) and wait until you have a bottle full ( mine usually took the bait within a few days ) then just dispose of the entire bottle. As for the egg sacs, you can use a water changer/vacuum and suction them out as needed.

View attachment 450557

OMG! That is amazing. Thanks so so much! I can try that today

 

Could just keep the snails, they are remarkably beneficial to planted tanks.

-eat algae, extra food and dead plant matter
-waste enriches substrate in planted system
-when they die, shells dissolve releasing calcium and minerals into the water

Of course, I understand why some folks see them as an eyesore. I have countless snails in my tanks and love them!

 

Could just keep the snails, they are remarkably beneficial to planted tanks.

-eat algae, extra food and dead plant matter
-waste enriches substrate in planted system
-when they die, shells dissolve releasing calcium and minerals into the water

Of course, I understand why some folks see them as an eyesore. I have countless snails in my tanks and love them!

Ramshorn snails are MUCH prettier than MTS snails though! MTS snails are just to me!

I had 3 tanks running - they were all given 3-4 MTS snails in each - None of the tanks were overfed ( all of the fish get fed every OTHER day ) but yet the Betta tank ( only difference was Betta tank was at 80-81 degrees ) and other tanks were at 74-75 degrees - so I am guessing the reason My betta tank exploded from the snails is because of the temps! The other 2 tanks were very minimal on the snails.
Even the Assassins were out of control in the Betta tank but, I got rid of them all ( maybe 400-500? or more ) to the lfs and they gave me about 50 Nerite snails ( all horned variety ) and a few fish and discounts on their stuff. They sold the Assassins for $2.00 a piece so they got a great deal!

 

Wow these stories are amazing! Nice to learn these things lol

 

Ramshorn snails are MUCH prettier than MTS snails though! MTS snails are just to me!

I had 3 tanks running - they were all given 3-4 MTS snails in each - None of the tanks were overfed ( all of the fish get fed every OTHER day ) but yet the Betta tank ( only difference was Betta tank was at 80-81 degrees ) and other tanks were at 74-75 degrees - so I am guessing the reason My betta tank exploded from the snails is because of the temps! The other 2 tanks were very minimal on the snails.
Even the Assassins were out of control in the Betta tank but, I got rid of them all ( maybe 400-500? or more ) to the lfs and they gave me about 50 Nerite snails ( all horned variety ) and a few fish and discounts on their stuff. They sold the Assassins for $2.00 a piece so they got a great deal!

I deliberately added about 200 MTS to the cherry shrimp tank at work! They keep the sand tilled and even though there are now more than I can count they do excellent work keeping the tank cycled and clean, and I hear they are very beneficial in a shrimp setup.

My home tanks contain mostly ramshorn and bladder snails, with a few nerites. I also have one ivory and one purple mystery snail.