Hey guys, got a few questions about snails..

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PaiLum92

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jul 18, 2010
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Fort Collins
Hey guys, got a few questions about snails..

So, first off, I have a weird moldy/fuzzy thing growing on some driftwood, someone said that snails should be able to take care of it.. is that true, or not?

Also, I just generally want a couple of snails for my tank to help with the clean up. I have an Fx5, but I want a little extra help cleaning up any uneaten food. Don’t really feel like cleaning my tank every day either.

So, I was wondering what kind of snails would be best for this/these jobs, cleaning the mold/fungus/fuzzy stuff off of the driftwood, and general clean-up? I know Petsmart sells ‘Mystery Snails’, but I’ve tried them before, and they usually die within a week, for me, not sure why, all my other fish did fine. (And yes, the snails were fed, water parameters fine).

So..? I’m going to my LFS later, as they usually have a way better stock. If I don’t get any response, I suppose I can look them up and go on instinct/research, but I would rather have firsthand experience/opinions…

Thanks everyone..
 
I recently set up a 180 and added a few large pieces of driftwood. Not long after they were all covered in some thick slime/mold type stuff. Not sure if this is what you are referring to. I researched all around and there were tons of ideas out there on how to get rid of it. The one that worked for me was time. I would wipe it off and back it would come. After about a month or so it just disappeared. The driftwood looks great now, no mold or anything. So, if it is new driftwood this is a common problem and time should clear it up. As for snails, who knows. I use a small group of corydoras to keep an eye on the food that the fish miss and I have never met a snail or group of snails that can keep a tank clean to where a good wipe down of the glass on a regular basis wasn't necessary.
 
if you are willing to have snails in your tank forever then i say go for it!!
 
But which are best? I've heard a lot of people say Apple Snails are good, but what others are there, and what are thier pros/cons?
 
Hello; I like the red ramshorn snails. I have had them in my tanks for a long time. I also have MTS snails, they plow thru the gravel and eat the bits of food and such that may be missed by the fish. As stated they will be very hard to be rid of later so plan on that . I do not know about snails cleaning driftwood however.
 
If you dont have any live plants, and want a large snail then get an apple snail... But if you have live plants then whatever you do DON'T add one or it will eat your plants down to the stalk...


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No live plants, bad enough luck with live plants on thier own, would skyrocket if I added plant eaters. Apple Snail, I will see if my LFS can order me one.
 
Ok, now what all do snails eat, will they just slug along collecting uneaten food, or do they need stuff like algea wafers, etc? I'll have a Bichir set-up, so it will be a lot of meaty foods, is that ok for Snails, or do they just eat everything (algae, meat, etc)?
 
They dont really eat meat in my experience... Pellet food yes, but meat, not so much...

Even algae they wont touch as they get bigger and prefer pellet food...

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