The Tropical Tank

the_funny_carpet · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:01 pm Post subject: to snail or not to snail?

have been thinking about getting some MTS to turn over and clean my sand, as vaccing it is quite hard Razz

but have been reading about them multiplying out of control - how could i avoid this? are there any other snails that clean up/turn sand and do not breed? and do snail ake up stocking space?
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Jack

I write fishkeeping articles (among others), please check them out HERE! Feedback always appreciated, as are ideas for my next article!

Apistogramma · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 11:34 pm Post subject:

Malaysian Trumpet Snails are excellent for keeping the substrate well turned over and it's great for the roots of plants too.
They also hoover up any left over food.
They do take up stocking space, but not lots. You'll know if there are problems with your stocking level, filter or oxygen levels because the snails will climb up the glass to the top of the tank - that means something is wrong and you need to sort it. They're a personal alarm system!
They breed like mad if you overfeed - so to cut down on breeding cut down the feed you give to the fish. They'll also do better the higher the temperature, it speeds up their metabolism.
They don't do so well in acidic water though as it damages their shell.
To reduce the population wait until it's dark and then scrape them off the sides when they come out. You can syphon out small ones from off the gravel, they aren't strong enough to hold on and are easy to see as they are white.
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Becky

*Aimlessly drives around in the steam roller with Karena's now fairly blunt scissors...and Lisa's hedge trimmer*

the_funny_carpet · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 10:00 am Post subject:

that sounds fine then - im always very careful not to overfeed, and my water is around neutral. I bet ill feel guilty if i have to scrape them off the glass though, although i way just give them to my fiend - he breeds aquatic snails *crazy*
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Jack

I write fishkeeping articles (among others), please check them out HERE! Feedback always appreciated, as are ideas for my next article!

corycor · Posted: Sat Nov 21, 2009 5:42 pm Post subject:

I was thinking about geting MTS for my upcoming new tank but im not sure as my yo yo loach will probably eat them.
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110 liter (29 gallon), Planted-

14x Neons
3x Silver tip tetra
3x Peppered corys
1x Yo-Yo loach
1x Oto

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