dying snails

[fulcrum]

I have lost a couple of astrea snails lately. The tank is new, and still cycling (month old), it may have been too early to add them. I am wondering though, because they keep falling on their backs. They are still alive, and if I right them, they live just fine. I went away for a couple of days, and when I returned, two were on their backs and have slipped away to that great aqaurium in the sky. Are my snails just incredibly uncoordinated? Is it normal to occasionally lose snails to this phenomenon?
125 gallon
cpr wet/dry
euroreef skimmer
uv sterilizer (not turned on yet)
live sand
faux coral
helios power compact blue actinic and 7100K white

 

[nacl-h2o]

If your tank is still cycling, it was to early to add them. The ammonia, nitrites, nitrates and fluctuating PH created during a cycle will be harmful or even deadly to them depending on how hi they go.

 

[col]

I wouldn't have put any livestock in a cycling tank.
I have only had one astra snail that has died, and this followed falling on it's back a few times. Dunno if falling is a sign of impending death tho.
Also it could have starved to death as there was probably nothing to eat in a new cycling tank.

 

[krishj39]

yup, they could be dying from any number of specific causes, but more generically, you can be sure they are dying because your tank isn't old enough yet. just hold off for a while and add them later, i'm sure you will have much better success. IMO, if you think your tank is stable, a good test is to add a cheaper shrimp (ie peppermint). if the shrimp dies then you know that you still need to wait before you add anything else. now, before you all jump on me for being heartless, using a live animal to see if things can live in the tank, i am saying he should add the shrimp only after it seems his tank has stablized. when, in theory, the shrimp should be just fine. but, if not, then at least he only lost a shrimp, not a bunch of angels or something.

 

[demosthenes]

I agree with krishj39, in that this would be the most logical method of testing to see if your tank is capable of keeping any livestock. Of course, testing the water during the cycle to see when it ends is always just as good, LOL.

 

[jackdp]

Ya, I think the best way to tell if your tank is done cycling is to test the water. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, and some elevated nitrates for a few days probably means your tank is finished cycling. If so, do a water change about 30% and test again. I don't think anyone would recommend you throw livestock in and if it dies your tank is not ready. Astrea snails are not known to be very competent when it comes to falling on their backs, often they can not right themselves and can fall prey to hermits. I've had 3 in my tank for a month now and they haven't fallen yet. My LFS sold me some cerinths with the understanding that they can right themselves, of course my cerinths have been mysteriously dying now...nothing's ever perfect good luck

 

[buzz]

Looking at your sig file, you say you have live sand, but not how much. You also don't say anything about having live rock in the tank. If you don't, you should. It will help your cycle, and the biological filter of the tank. You also have no fish (damsel, etc) mentioned. If you haven't added that, have you added a raw shrimp or anything? You need something to create ammonia to help the bacteria start growing. The snails alone won't do it.
Don't jump to conclusions as to why your snails are dying. Astrea snails fall. I have an established tank, and I have found mine on their backs plenty of times. They lose their "footing," slip, and take the nestea plunge. They actually drown when upside down like that for too long. I have been able to save them on all but one instance. I found one like that after it had been just too long, and it was dead.
Yes, it may be a bit soon to add these to the tank...you should definitely keep checking your water quality to see where you are in your cycle. But yes, it is a normal, regularly occuring phenomenon to have these snails fall and die - don't panic.
I wouldn't recommend starting with a shrimp either. They are more sensitive, as are inverts, etc. I do not see that as being an accurate test of whether your tank can support life. Start with a hardy fish, like a damsel, or tomato clown or something like that.

 

[fulcrum]

I left out some info that may help with the dying snail question I asked before.
The reason for the snails was that my tank had an "algae explosion". I started the tank using RO water from the fish store, and live sand (120 pounds) I had the tank running for a week and put damsels in. Within a matter of a day or two I had algae growing on everything and growing fast. My fishstore guy here in town seems to be pretty knowledgeable, and reccommended the astrea because they are fairly hearty. In truth 14 are still living just fine. The six damsels are doing fine as well.
I have toned down the amount of blue light the tank gets. This in combination with the snails seems to be keeping the algae under control.
I was told that the appearance of algae was a very good sign that the tank was ready to support snails. They are also very inexpensive. I dont typically equate the cost of an animal with the value of life, but in this case it did not seem to be a big risk to put $15 dollars worth of snails into the tank. They have been in the tank for over two weeks now, and I have only lost the two that I found on their backs after my trip.
Did I misuse the term "cycling" in my previous posting?
Does this make more sense?
I know live rock is better for the tank, but I am not crazy about the looks of it......is it bad not to have it in a non-reef tank?

 

[jackdp]

Live Rock isn't necessary at all. As long as you have a decent filtration system in place. Live Rock is usually preferred because its a host to the bacteria that will carry out your tank's nitrogen cycle, but most filters can do the same thing. Live rock can help with nitrates in some instances but not always. Plus, live rock can come with a plethora of other life that adds to the biodiversity of your system. But, all in all, its not a necessity, especially for a fish only system.

 

[dolciflyer]

i've had the same problem with snails from time to time in a well established tank. when the snails fall on their 'back', if they're not near something to grab on to, they may die. it's o.k. tho, because the hermit crabs will take care of them. when i first cycled my tank, i added blue-legged hermits, and snails after the first 3 weeks to a month, and have had no problem.