What type of snail?

[BleuTheBetta]

Hello! I just learned the absolutely perfect light time and intensity for my tank (for no algae but great amount of light for my anubias). I was thinking if I get a snail I could turn the light intensity up a bit.
I have always loved snails. They’re super cute to me… don’t judge haha. I was wondering what type of snail I could put in my tank? it needs to fit my parameters.. I got a sick snail the first time keeping one, it lasted around a month (Nerite). Bleu never picked at it or harassed it at all. I watched him for maybe 20 minutes with the snail every day.
Parameters-
8.0 PH
Very soft water (forgot the reading)
No ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, chlorine
5 gallon tank
I do a 35-50% wc every week.
What do you guys think a good snail type would be, if any would be good? I don’t want to go back to nerite, I read they don’t do good in soft water.

 

[Boundava]

Soft water isn't really good for snail's shell unfortunately, any snail...nerite, ramshorn, mystery, pagoda, rabbit, fanus...they all need harder waters...even pond/bladder snails will eventually suffer from softwater. (Lol)

 

[BleuTheBetta]

Soft water isn't really good for snail's shell unfortunately, any snail...nerite, ramshorn, mystery, pagoda, rabbit, fanus...they all need harder waters...even pond/bladder snails will eventually suffer from software.

Acckkk, okay. They’re out then. Thanks for the info!

 

[Mint]

I keep Malaysian Live-Bearing Snails in all of my tanks, and they’re pretty much indestructible, so you could probably keep them, but they’re not too pretty (Kind of ugly brown, spirally), infest the tank utterly, and only come out at night…so you may want to look into getting a small aquarium for the snails (1-2 gallons) and keeping a couple of Apple or Rabbit Snails.

 

[BleuTheBetta]

I keep Malaysian Live-Bearing Snails in all of my tanks, and they’re pretty much indestructible, so you could probably keep them, but they’re not too pretty (Kind of ugly brown, spirally), infest the tank utterly, and only come out at night…so you may want to look into getting a small aquarium for the snails (1-2 gallons) and keeping a couple of Apple or Rabbit Snails.

I’ll look in to that! I love the spirals of Malaysian Trumpets. I’ll do some more research on it. Thanks!

 

[Boundava]

Apple=mystery snails? 1-2 gallons is too small as they tend to get large and are pretty prolific poopers for snails. Ramshorn would do well, but rabbit can also get too big for a 1-2 gallon as well.

 

[10 Tanks]

Hello Bleu. Anubias is a low light plant it doesn't require strong lighting. Ramshorn snails are a good choice and you can get them at the LFS for next to nothing. You have a very small tank and that would be a challenge to keep the water clean for even an experienced water keeper. You'll need to change out most of the water a couple of times a week. Toxic nitrogen will build up quickly in such a small amount of water.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

 

[seangee]

May I ask why you want to increase the light intensity? Bettas don't like brightly lit tanks and neither do anubias.

 

[Byron]

I agree that Malaysian Livebearing Snails will have no issues in soft (or any) water. I had them for years. However, while all snails do eat algae, it is in the case of these small snail species not going to do anything for "problem" algae and this is what you would likely incur with any increase in lighting (or nutrients, or the reverse with too little of either to balance). The small snails are very good at common green algae (you usually do not even see this on plant leaves, etc) or diatoms. But if you have the balance of light/nutrients working, do not mess with it. This balance is the only safe and effective way to keep problem algae in check.

 

[BleuTheBetta]

Apple=mystery snails? 1-2 gallons is too small as they tend to get large and are pretty prolific poopers for snails. Ramshorn would do well, but rabbit can also get too big for a 1-2 gallon as well.

Hello Bleu. Anubias is a low light plant it doesn't require strong lighting. Ramshorn snails are a good choice and you can get them at the LFS for next to nothing. You have a very small tank and that would be a challenge to keep the water clean for even an experienced water keeper. You'll need to change out most of the water a couple of times a week. Toxic nitrogen will build up quickly in such a small amount of water.

10 Tanks (Now 11)

I agree that Malaysian Livebearing Snails will have no issues in soft (or any) water. I had them for years. However, while all snails do eat algae, it is in the case of these small snail species not going to do anything for "problem" algae and this is what you would likely incur with any increase in lighting (or nutrients, or the reverse with too little of either to balance). The small snails are very good at common green algae (you usually do not even see this on plant leaves, etc) or diatoms. But if you have the balance of light/nutrients working, do not mess with it. This balance is the only safe and effective way to keep problem algae in check.

Sounds good, no snails then.

May I ask why you want to increase the light intensity? Bettas don't like brightly lit tanks and neither do anubias.

I was saying I know that I have the perfect balance to not get a lot of algae, so I could turn it up to get more algae. Nevermind, though!

 

[seangee]

I was saying I know that I have the perfect balance to not get a lot of algae, so I could turn it up to get more algae. Nevermind, though!

You don't need algae if you want to keep snails. They will be quite content with biofilm which exists in all tanks

 

[sharkweek178]

You don't need algae if you want to keep snails. They will be quite content with biofilm which exists in all tanks

I don't think snails starve to death in aquariums too often.

 

[BleuTheBetta]

You don't need algae if you want to keep snails. They will be quite content with biofilm which exists in all tanks

Oh. That’s something new. Thanks. I’ve decided against it for now. Maybe some time later I will get some!

 

[sharkweek178]

Oh. That’s something new. Thanks. I’ve decided against it for now. Maybe some time later I will get some!

If you ever get something like otos or hillstream loaches, they do need algae and should only be put in a tank that's mature enough to have accumulated some. But snails will make do with anything. Biofilm, leftover fish food, dead plant matter. They'll find something to eat.

 

[BleuTheBetta]

If you ever get something like otos or hillstream loaches, they do need algae and should only be put in a tank that's mature enough to have accumulated some. But snails will make do with anything. Biofilm, leftover fish food, dead plant matter. They'll find something to eat.

Okay! I always just thought that they eat algae. I guess I was wrong! Thanks for the information