Problems With First Planted Tank

[Mikaila31]

The tank is 20 gal. most of the plants i put in about a week ago, so far they are all doing fine. I still haven't gotten to the point of putting fish in it yet .

My first problem is the snails, i don't want them there. They appeared about 2 weeks ago and so far i've only killed around 30. So could i use a medication to get rid of them or would it harm the tank?

My second problem is that i've had a oily, whitish film on the water surface that i can't get rid of. I've tried to get rid of it with paper towels but it keeps coming back . I created more movement on the surface but that only cleared it up a little. Has anyone else had this problem and how do you get rid of it?

 

[Jen]

Those pesky snails, eh. They tend to hitch a ride in on plants. Make sure you always rinse your plants well before adding the plant. I've never been a fan of adding extra chemicals to my tank. Don't know why, just dont.

There is a trick that some people use to get rid of snails. Take a piece of lettuce and anchor it down in the tank with a weight of some sort. In the morning, pull the lettuce out and there should be some snails on it.

Lather, rince, repeat.

 

[Mikaila31]

Will that method get rid of the snails completely? Also the snails in my tank are very small, they've all be under .5 cm i can only see them if they are on the glass.

 

[big mick]

That lettuce trick usualy works to at the very least keep the snails under control.

As for the film on the surface of your water, this sounds like a build up of protein, as long as the surface of the water is rippled as you mentioned this should go away. Most fish food is about 47% protein thats pretty normal.

I avoid chemicals in my tanks aswell.

 

[Jen]

I don't know if it will completely remove them, but it should help to control them. Most people just squish them when they see them... or get fish that will eat them... like loaches.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

Sorry jen but the lettuce method never worked for me ! and i mean never ! the only reason for the snails to go for the lettuce leaf is if they are sooo hungry that they could not find anything to eat. And when the snails dont have much to eat, including algae, their number drop significantly.....

Ironically enough as what i posted in gf thread earlier, my surface scum control tools are common pond snails ! seems like i got the snails that like to eat surface scum.

 

[Jen]

I have never used it before... I've never had any of those snails in my tank... I am always very careful about washing my plans before adding to my tank. I have just heard that it has worked for others.

 

[kenneth_kpe]

How do you wash your plants jen ? do you dip them in bleach or something ? i always wanted to minimize new snails being introduced into my tanks...

 

[Jen]

I just run it under running water, and 'scrub' with my fingers. I run my fingers along every stem and leaf to make sure nothing is there. Some people do a bleach dip, but I'm too lazy and can't be bothered. lol

 

[mattpage]

I had a big problem with snails, and I found cucumber worked a treat. The snails loved it and gathered on it every morning. Simply take them out and sell them on ebay

 

[Silverlady]

I had a big problem with snails, and I found cucumber worked a treat. The snails loved it and gathered on it every morning. Simply take them out and sell them on ebay

Iagree with mattpage I find Cucumber works very well ,certainly better then Lettuce.

 

[RYO]

Never seen a snail in my tanks. The loach patrol would see off any pesky crawling little vermin.
Best snail destroyers imo

 

[woodjm79]

The tank is 20 gal. most of the plants i put in about a week ago, so far they are all doing fine. I still haven't gotten to the point of putting fish in it yet .

My first problem is the snails, i don't want them there. They appeared about 2 weeks ago and so far i've only killed around 30. So could i use a medication to get rid of them or would it harm the tank?

My second problem is that i've had a oily, whitish film on the water surface that i can't get rid of. I've tried to get rid of it with paper towels but it keeps coming back . I created more movement on the surface but that only cleared it up a little. Has anyone else had this problem and how do you get rid of it?

i know u dont have any fish yet but ...u might wanna get a clown loach?
they are very mild tempered and go well with most fish.. he will go to work and kill all ur snails!

 

[bogwood]

i know u dont have any fish yet but ...u might wanna get a clown loach?
they are very mild tempered and go well with most fish.. he will go to work and kill all ur snails!

Unless you are getting a larger tank soon, your 20G will be too small for Clown Loach - esp. as they need to be kept in numbers and can get 'big'... Initially, I had my eye on some small ones for my 20UKG but was advised against it... what about a smaller YoYo (Pakistani) Loach for snail duties?...

 

[Mikaila31]

I've been tring to catch them with the cucumber but so far i've only caught a few. I would still like to find a way to get rid of them completely. I already know what i want in the tank, so i don't really want to put a loach in there.
Now about the film on top of the water . Will it ever go away, and will it affect the fish at all? I want to put some gouramis in the tank eventuly.