Best snails?

[Fishfaced]

What are the best looking snails that do a good job cleaning and don't reproduce like rabbits?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Nerites are renowned for their cleaning and non reproduction. Youve also answered your own question ? Rabbit snails look cool ??

 

[Fishfaced]

Ah cool lol. Really like the look of rabbit snails. Thanks

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Nerites are awesome and have lots of pattern options. I have the zebra ones but there are several different shell patterns. They also don't reproduce like crazy. They apparently will lay eggs but they can't hatch unless in brackish water. So the snails won't overtake your tank. I have 3 in my 20 gallon and they are doing a serious number on the algae.

 

[Fishfaced]

Nerites are awesome and have lots of pattern options. I have the zebra ones but there are several different shell patterns. They also don't reproduce like crazy. They apparently will lay eggs but they can't hatch unless in brackish water. So the snails won't overtake your tank. I have 3 in my 20 gallon and they are doing a serious number on the algae.

Yea just been looking at some. Really like the zebra thorn. What do you feed them ?

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Yea just been looking at some. Really like the zebra thorn. What do you feed them ?

So far mainly just algae and I'm guessing they get uneaten morsels off the bottom from time to time. I did buy some shrimp pellets and something called crab cuisine which has extra calcium for shells. I am not sure if the snails are getting to them or not. When I drop them in the tank I try to sink them right next to the snails. The shrimp are super fast and super greedy so those little buggers will run off with just about anything. The snails will also eat dead plants so if it's a planted tank they'll get some decaying plant matter from time to time.

If they totally eradicate the algae and other biofilm in your tank, you can drop in some algae wafers and soft vegetables like zucchini or cucumber. I haven't fed the veggies but I've heard they will eat blanched vegetables.

 

[Fishfaced]

So far mainly just algae and I'm guessing they get uneaten morsels off the bottom from time to time. I did buy some shrimp pellets and something called crab cuisine which has extra calcium for shells. I am not sure if the snails are getting to them or not. When I drop them in the tank I try to sink them right next to the snails. The shrimp are super fast and super greedy so those little buggers will run off with just about anything. The snails will also eat dead plants so if it's a planted tank they'll get some decaying plant matter from time to time.

If they totally eradicate the algae and other biofilm in your tank, you can drop in some algae wafers and soft vegetables like zucchini or cucumber. I haven't fed the veggies but I've heard they will eat blanched vegetables.

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna get shrimp too so I'll watch out for them stealing food lol. I'm currently cycling my tank now fishless method. I really want some critters to watch. Would snails be ok in water with 2.0ppm ammonia? I don't want to harm them.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Thanks for the advice. I'm gonna get shrimp too so I'll watch out for them stealing food lol. I'm currently cycling my tank now fishless method. I really want some critters to watch. Would snails be ok in water with 2.0ppm ammonia? I don't want to harm them.

No definitely hold off until your tank is cycled. If you want to speed it up I had good luck adding Tetra Safe Start Plus bottled bacteria. It took a few days but consistently got the ammonia down to 0 within 24 hours after dosing ammonia. Shrimp are sensitive to ammonia just like fish.

Also for shrimp and snails, you'll need a minimum level (maybe 4 or 5 degrees) of general hardness. Test your water to make sure you have enough of these minerals so the shrimp can molt and the snails shells stay hard. I have to add Seachem Equilibrium to my water which has basically 0 GH to get it in the 4 - 5 dGH range.

 

[Fishfaced]

No definitely hold off until your tank is cycled. If you want to speed it up I had good luck adding Tetra Safe Start Plus bottled bacteria. It took a few days but consistently got the ammonia down to 0 within 24 hours after dosing ammonia. Shrimp are sensitive to ammonia just like fish.

Also for shrimp and snails, you'll need a minimum level (maybe 4 or 5 degrees) of general hardness. Test your water to make sure you have enough of these minerals so the shrimp can molt and the snails shells stay hard. I have to add Seachem Equilibrium to my water which has basically 0 GH to get it in the 4 - 5 dGH range.

Thanks I'll wait till it's complete. I'll also make sure the water is good for all.

 

[Essjay]

Shrimps and snails are more sensitive to poor water conditions than fish.

Except pest snails, that is. They survive

 

[Fishfaced]

Shrimps and snails are more sensitive to poor water conditions than fish.

Except pest snails, that is. They survive

Thanks. I'm gonna make sure water is good and tank cycled before adding anything. Just a bit impatient and wanted a critter or two. I'll wait ?