Lettuce as snail trap

I was advised to lay a lettuce Leaf as ' bait' and when they climb on, toss the lettuce.
I have several questions about this method
a) does it have to be lettuce, can I use spinach, kale or collard greens?
B) does it have to lay flat? Then how would I weigh it down.. Sinkers won't work
c) what's to keep my piggy plecos from eating it? They eat everything else - Cept the snails ( how cool would that be?!)

 

Any leafy green would work. Blanch it in the microwave for 30 secs or so to help it sink. Put a couple pieces of gravel on it if you need to. Doesn't have to be super flat, just need for snails to be able to access it, meaning it can't be free floating around. As for the plecos, I don't think you can prevent them from eating it. Try using 2 or 3 pieces maybe in different spots.

 

Great! Thanks. I will try spinach as the humans are more likely to eat what they don't.
Duh... Didn't even think about the gravel.
I will put some in several places and change it as it gathers snails.

 

I use this method - I've never had much luck with lettuce.

I put in algae wafers in the bottle and by morning, the entire bottle is filled!

 

Is that just a plain water bottle?!
I heard film can, but they don't really use film anymore

would an empty pill bottle work ?

 

Its a drinking water bottle ( childs size ) from Costco.

I tried different types and this seemed to work the best. Pill bottle may be too small.

You can also punch a hole in the bottle cap if you have small fish so they don't try and go in there. That's what I did since I have several small tetra's

 

I will try that tomorrow.
The plecos are lovin the spinach !
We do smallish fish - danios, guppies , smaller Cory's, phantom tetras so snail in/ fish out is a concern
thanks.

So far the snails could care less about the water bottle trap
it is however of great interest to the plecos who think it's either something to eat or hang out on.
They totally shredded the spinach - which is fine it's good for them.
If only the snails were as easily amused and as curious as the plecos.