should i add my snails?

trigger40

trigger40

Well-Known Member
i plan on adding some snails to my taink to help with the alge that has over run my tank but i did just add a fish on saturday and i was told to add one fish every week. but i am afraid that if i wait till the end of the week to add the snails i think i will find it to be verry difficult to see in my tank. so would it be alright to add the snails tommaro and avoid a amonia spike?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by jay0705 http:///t/397222/should-i-add-my-snails#post_3539821
Your fine. Inverts dont add as much bio load as fish

+1 and you can add many at one time, one or two isn't enough. Your CUC should have a variety of snails, a serpent or brittle star (not green), and a couple of shrimp. As long as you have enough algae so nothing will starve, add that CUC
 
trigger40

trigger40

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/397222/should-i-add-my-snails#post_3539830

+1 and you can add many at one time, one or two isn't enough. Your CUC should have a variety of snails, a serpent or brittle star (not green), and a couple of shrimp. As long as you have enough algae so nothing will starve, add that CUC
thank you flower and jay you guys are always great help
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
If your tank is glass get a glass scraper or magnetic glass cleaner. Snails will get but a slight film of algae will always grow on your glass.
I like margarita snails for heavy algae growth. They do a great job keeping it under control although many reefers dislike them due to their size and how they knock over corals etc.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tthemadd1 http:///t/397222/should-i-add-my-snails#post_3540002
If your tank is glass get a glass scraper or magnetic glass cleaner. Snails will get but a slight film of algae will always grow on your glass.
I like margarita snails for heavy algae growth. They do a great job keeping it under control although many reefers dislike them due to their size and how they knock over corals etc.


I have cold water tanks (seahorses) 66 degrees in one, and 74 degrees in the other...I keep margarita snails because they like it cold. Unfortunately, the warmer reef tank temps cause them to die out quickly.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/397222/should-i-add-my-snails#post_3540011


I have cold water tanks (seahorses) 66 degrees in one, and 74 degrees in the other...I keep margarita snails because they like it cold. Unfortunately, the warmer reef tank temps cause them to die out quickly.

The large Mexican turban Snails should be a good fit for a Seahorse tank. They are from cooler waters.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bang Guy http:///t/397222/should-i-add-my-snails#post_3540019

The large Mexican turban Snails should be a good fit for a Seahorse tank. They are from cooler waters.

I didn't know Mexican turban liked the cold...I do have a nice variety, I have the margarita, cerith, black nassarius, trocus and nerite. (the margarita and black nassarius are they only "cold water" snails) I also have a couple of bat stars and sand sifting stars. Sadly in the 56g I also have bristle worms, and a hitchhiker red serpent star (so far it hasn't bothered anything). So I have a pretty good CUC, and the macros help so much, I don't think I could keep seahorses without them, the water quality would take a dive.

I have tried to remove the bristle worms, they are too smart for the trap I bought, and they wouldn't come near the bait inside some nylon stocking material. I have caught and removed a few of them with tongs. Do you any special tricks you know that I could try?
 
trigger40

trigger40

Well-Known Member
i added my snails and i dont think i got enough. they cleaned up the sand but not the film alge on the glass should i buy another snail or get one of thoes magnet things that clean the glass?
 
trigger40

trigger40

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by jay0705 http:///t/397222/should-i-add-my-snails#post_3541256
What kind did u get
im not shr wich kind i got but there are three turbo snails one big and two little ones, one of the little ones died and i havent seen the other little one do much ether. im worried its fate will be the same as the other one. but the big one thrives and gets more then he needs. he gorges all day in the same area but dose not go to any other parts of the tank to clean. now its worse than ever befor. if you would like i can post a pic
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
Get a magnet glass cleaner. Margarita snails do a number on algae. For the thin film on the glass you won't get much out of snail. It grows to quick for them to keep up with. I have about fifteen snails in a 75 gallon but my algae is minor.
 
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