Overfeeding and snail population explosion

[Arfie]

Hello again,

It appears that I have been overfeeding, based on the following:

1) I usually change 20-25% of my water twice a week and decided to leave it a week and the water was green by 6 days, which I understand is a build up of algae which is a symptom of overfeeding. Back to 3 changes a week a week for now

2) Bloody snails, I'm now manually removing by hand or lettuce leaves about 50 a day from my 10G tank , which again I understand is a symptom of overfeeding as there's more food left to feed them.

Now I dont mind a few snails but this is ridiculous. I spotted 2 days ago that the built in filter was not shifting much water, so took it apart and found a cluster of probably near 100 little snails blocking the whole of the bottom of the filter inlet almost stopping the flow and they are all over and within the filter sponges. They have also started to eat my plants.

So to remedy this problem I was thinking about the following action:

1) Starving the fish for say 2-3 days so the bottom feeders get more stuff of the bottom therefore reducing the snail food, then feed smaller amounts every other day.

2) Taking all the plants out, soaking them in potassium permanganate (sp?) if I can get hold of some to kill any snails and eggs on them then putting them in my quarantine tank for a week or so. This will remove a hiding place, breeding place and further food source for the snails.

3) Continue with the lettuce trick along with manually picking the snails out of the tank.


I haven't got room at the moment to add any more fish that could eat the snails (new tank coming at the weekend but I'll need to cycle it ) unless I could borrow one for a couple of weeks.

When the new tank is here it will have a sand substrate and nothing will be moved from the old tank to the new one except a few of my fish (cory's will be moving to a new home), so there should be no further infestations and any new fish or plants will be quarantined 1st before getting in there, I then intend to add a small snail eater to the old tank, like dwarf puffer or yo-yo loach but that's weeks away for now and research will have to be done nearer the time.

I'd appreciate your expert advice on my plans or a better suggestion as I'd like to get them under control before I mess about with a new tank.

Arfie

 

[FishDan]

1) Your fish won't "starve" in 2-3 days, and many bottom feeders will need to be more desperate before scavenging. You may have to go longer, or do a thorough gravel cleaning.

2) Personally, I'd just use a diluted bleach solution. It's almost certainly cheaper and easier to get a hold of, and won't stain your hands. I have read that using the other potassium stuff should also mean you should use gloves, goggles and a mask. That's not something I want to deal with personally. You can google for the proper bleach solution to use so you don't harm your plants.

3) This should work! I also read that some raw meat will work, but I have no idea if it's true or about water quality issues after the fact. If lettuce is working, stick too it! Lettuce is also cheaper than meat.

\Dan

 

[Da_Oz]

When you take out the fish. Throw 5 pennies in the old tank snails will be dead in 3 days. But DO NOT do this with corys in there.

 

[Arfie]

Thanks

FishDan - Thanks for the tip on bleach, having read up on it I understand you need to use a 5% or 1 in 20 solution and dip plants in for 2-3 mins max then rinse thoroughly in dechlorinated water, have you tried it and does it work?

It appears that potassium permanganate is not easy to get hold of in the UK as it can be used to make home explosives and is also used in the processing of cocaine .

Da_Oz - Thats an interesting one, I take it this is due to the copper? Would I need to remove the carbon filter and what would I need to do to ensure it's all clean again?

I would point out though that I am not looking to empty my tank of fish I am just rehoming the cory's.

I also do not feel the need to kill all snails, just get the population back under control.

Thanks again for the tips.

Arfie

 

[nino]

i'm also having a problem with snails, although not as bad as yours (!) but i've read that putting the snail bait (lettuce, meat, zuchini, etc) into a bottle and have the mouth of the bottle resting on the gravel so the snails can get in easier. this way you can easily scoop them up and get rid of them instead of having them on just a piece of lettuce because i've found a lot fall off when you pick it up.

so i've just put this "snail catcher" in my tank about 15 minutes ago, i'll let you know how it works.

 

[mlaugh]

Snails are the bane of my existence. Found one, didn't think it was any big deal...couple days later found another one...thought, "Eh, what harm can 2 snails do?" Woke up one morning to little crescent shaped egg clutches stuck all over the inside of my tank. Been trying to get rid of the dang things ever since.

 

[FishDan]

I have never bleached my plants, because thus far I have not graduated to keeping live plants. I know fish keepers that do use the bleach method, and they seem to have good luck.

\Dan

 

[Final Dynazty]

I dont use chemicals because i feel your are harmin the fish in the long run. You should try the lettuce but not the meat. The meat will give the water poor quality and will rot. You are probalby better off cleaning the gravel very good and manualy picking them out.

 

[a1wonder]

lol you could always get a drawf puffer if you don't mind lossing the fins of the other fish in the tank.

 

[mwm]

I Know clown loaches work good

 

[FishDan]

I dont use chemicals because i feel your are harmin the fish in the long run.

You aren't "using chemicals" in the tank. They are all cleaned off the plants before adding them to the aquarium. There is no risk of harming your fish if you rinse properly. This is true anytime you may clean aquarium equipment. Do a proper job and there won't be a problem.

You should try the lettuce but not the meat. The meat will give the water poor quality and will rot. You are probalby better off cleaning the gravel very good and manualy picking them out.

Lettuce will rot too. You remove the meat or lettuce often to prevent water quality issues.

lol you could always get a drawf puffer if you don't mind lossing the fins of the other fish in the tank.

The snails irritate him, at least they don't harm his fish. Taking care of the snails shouldn't involve harming the fish.

\Dan

 

[a1wonder]

The snails irritate him, at least they don't harm his fish. Taking care of the snails shouldn't involve harming the fish.

I was just kidding but the snails should't irritate a puffer they enjoy a nice feast of escargo. I would simply suggest do a through gravel or substrate cleaning. Although painfully time consuming I personally would not go the way of the chemicals.

 

[Pearlie]

I'd highly recommend a couple zebra loaches (if you have room) (Scientific name is Botia striata). They stay small (~4 inches) and do a good job controlling the population. From what I've noticed when I gravel vacuum, I still see live snails in the water I've removed, but, since I don't see them in the actual tank, I can only assume they're staying hidden. Anyone that perks their little noses too far above the gravel will become lunch.

It's also rather satisfying to siphon out the empty snail shells by the dozens.

 

[fishdudein]

Don't need to add any chemicals or buy any special fish. Keep things simple, less chance for errors. First, correct the problem that is fueling this outbreak, you have already said , overfeeding, so stop overfeeding. Lettuce leaf trick is good idea, you can get rid of a lot of snails this way. If the jar method doesn't work (sounds good), just hold your net under the leaf as you are removing it. Once population is manageable, skip a feeding and crush a few snails instead. I haven't found a fish yet that doesn't love fresh crushed snail. I personally like having snails in my tanks for just this purpose.

Hope this helps.