Cycle and Snails

[rodeo-clown]

I'm currently 5 days into a fishless cycle. I don't believe there has been a nitrite spike just yet. I add 10 drops of ammonia each day (20 gallon tank) and test every 2nd day.

This morning, I noticed a tiny snail on the glass. I did add a 3 plants to the tank 2 days ago. Do you think the snail was introduced with the plants?

What should I do with the snail. Should I leave the snail and will it be beneficial in my tank?

 

[sylvia]

Good to see you doing a fishless cycle.

Yes, the snail will have come in on the plants.

What you want to do with it is up to you. If you leave it, you'll end up with hundreds of them but they are quite easy to keep under control if you occasionaly leave a piece of lettuce or cucumber weighed down in the tank over-night and then pick out the snails that have gathered in the morning. They are also great scavengers and cleaners and will help feed tiny fry (because bacteria grow in them and these feed infusoria which small fry eat) but they will devour any fish eggs they come accross. As I said, it's up to you - if you don't dislike them, go ahead and keep it - but when you have thousands, don't say I didn't warn you.

Snails are cute realy.