20 Gallon Tank Nerites keep dying after water changes

[mslindaw]

Hello,
My 2 Red Lip Nerite snails died overnight after a water change. This has happened before with Zebra Nerite and Olive Nerite. They last about a week or two and then I find them on their backs or not moving for days, before I take them out. I changed 25% water yesterday, because the Ammonia was .25 ppm and Nitrites were 1.0 ppm. There are live plants in the tank plus I drop in a couple of algae wafers every other night just to make sure they're fed. Tankmates in 20 gallon are 8 Cherry Barbs, 5 Black Neons, and a female Betta. This tank has been up and running since mid-October. Any ideas what I could be doing wrong? Maybe I should give up on snails? Thanks in advance for any and all help.

 

[BigManAquatics]

Have you checked your source water for possible high ammonia?

 

[mslindaw]

Have you checked your source water for possible high ammonia?

It's zero out of the tap. And measures zero in my 10 gallon tank.

 

[BigManAquatics]

Did the snails have "the smell"? Nerites can be notorious for not moving for long periods of time.

 

[John58ford]

Are you adding anything else with your water changes water conditioner, fertilizer, pH stuff etc?

What is your tap vs tank pH?

Is your source water chlorinated City water or well water?

How old is your home, have you flushed your hot water heater in the last year?

 

[WRWAquarium]

The fact that your nitrites are at 1ppm suggests the tank isnt cycled or more likely temporarily out of cycle. Overfeeding, lots of new fish or maybe the dead snails. Somthing has put it out of cycle.

I wouldnt add anything else to the tank and just keep water changing until ammonia and nitrite stay 0.

 

[mslindaw]

Did the snails have "the smell"? Nerites can be notorious for not moving for long periods of time.

I'm really afraid to sniff one. My gag response is so high I don't want to throw up . I've waited as long as a week before disposing of a non moving snail. I've poked them on their soft side and got no response.

 

[Mandarabe]

Are you putting in water conditioner or ageing the water before adding it in? It may be Chlorine in the water you are adding.

Have you spotted your betta paying any attention to the snails? Some Bettas have been known to harass and kill snails… just part of their personality!

 

[mslindaw]

Are you adding anything else with your water changes water conditioner, fertilizer, pH stuff etc?

What is your tap vs tank pH?

Is your source water chlorinated City water or well water?

How old is your home, have you flushed your hot water heater in the last year?

We've been in the house since mid May. I add API water conditioner with the changes. Leaf Zone once a week this tank has been up and running since mid October. I think I'll just wait until spring when the tank is older to try snails anymore. Haven't kept inverts of any kind before.

 

[John58ford]

We've been in the house since mid May. I add API water conditioner with the changes. Leaf Zone once a week this tank has been up and running since mid October. I think I'll just wait until spring when the tank is older to try snails anymore. Haven't kept inverts of any kind before.

I think it may be something in your source water, of it's a new build home it's not likely to be copper or sediment in the hot water tank. I would try to dig up a water table report.

It could also be something in your tank, and just coincidence that it seems to be triggered by water changing. These puzzles are part of the whole, it's very satisfying solving your own water puzzle as the tanks progress.

 

[MacZ]

I think they simply starved. I bet the algae wafers are eaten by the other animals, the snails tend to stick to the aufwuchs and a tank that age hasn't a lot of it.

 

[mslindaw]

Are you putting in water conditioner or ageing the water before adding it in? It may be Chlorine in the water you are adding.

Have you spotted your betta paying any attention to the snails? Some Bettas have been known to harass and kill snails… just part of their personality!

Yes to water conditioner and no to noticed harrassment.

 

[carsonsgjs]

Is it worth ruling out the water being too soft for them - do you know your ph, kh and gh?

 

[mslindaw]

Is it worth ruling out the water being too soft for them - do you know your ph, kh and gh?

The pH is 7.6 not sure of the gh and kh. Gotta get the test kit.

 

[Blacksheep1]

Have you noticed any change in the shells ? Chipping ? White patches ? Do they leave the water at any point to just relax above the water line ? And last question have you seen the snails actively eating any food you’ve added such as cucumber or zucchini ?

 

[mslindaw]

Have you noticed any change in the shells ? Chipping ? White patches ? Do they leave the water at any point to just relax above the water line ? And last question have you seen the snails actively eating any food you’ve added such as cucumber or zucchini ?

No chips or patches but one sometime hangs out half in half out at the water line. Didn't feed any fresh veggies yet only wafers.

Have you noticed any change in the shells ? Chipping ? White patches ? Do they leave the water at any point to just relax above the water line ? And last question have you seen the snails actively eating any food you’ve added such as cucumber or zucchini ?

The fact that your nitrites are at 1ppm suggests the tank isnt cycled or more likely temporarily out of cycle. Overfeeding, lots of new fish or maybe the dead snails. Somthing has put it out of cycle.

I wouldnt add anything else to the tank and just keep water changing until ammonia and nitrite stay 0.

Thanks. Ammonia reads 0 but Nitrites still reading 1.0ppm and I just did another 50% water change. Watching my fish closely and testing daily now.