Re: [APD] snail killing chemicals

["S. Hieber" <shieber at yahoo_com>]

Some minor comments:

Killing off every last one is much harder than keeping them
in check, which is harder than keeping them out in the
first place.

To do the latter, soak newly arrived plants in limewater
(hydrated lime). A commercial ready-to-go version is called
Lime-it but it might be pricey in little bottles. You can
make our own kalkwasser and that should kill the buggers.

To keep them in check, predatory snail feasters can work
well, especially if they can dig a bit and if they aren't
fed too much easy to get flake or other live food. Lots of
loaches do well keeping snails in check or completely
eradicating them.

A full tear down and "sanitizing" will eradicate them. You
might try limewater instead of bleach. Either way a good
rinsing is in order after the wash.


Lastly, some seem fond of having snails, so if all else
fails, if you can't change your tank, change your attitude
-- although that's never worked for me ;-)

Good luck,
Scott H.

--- Clint Brearley <clint_brearley at telstra_com> wrote:

> 
> I've had snails in my tank for over a year now and
> generally I can put up with them, but I've recently
> decided that I don't like the look of them and would like
> a snail-free tank if at all possible.
> 
> Here's some pictures of the little buggers:
>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/clintbrearley/snail09_small.jpg
>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/clintbrearley/09-snail_macro.jpg
>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/clintbrearley/snail08_small2.jpg
>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v200/clintbrearley/snail07_small2.jpg
> 
> I've been considering using a copper-based snail killing
> chemical such as "Aquamaster Snail-rid", but am a bit
> worried about the effects of such a product on the
> plants. I know of one person who has used a half dosage
> of this product successfully and didn't kill the plants,
> only slowed them down for a couple of weeks. But I'd like
> some more advice/opinions before proceeding.
> 
> My main concern is if the copper will kill the plants. I
> have swords, anubias, java fern/moss, crypts and H.
> corymbosa. Also a bit worried about ammonium from rotting
> snail carcases.
> 
> The plan of attack would be to go on "snail warfare" for
> a week before dosing to physically remove as many of the
> buggers as possible. Then add a half dose of snail-rid,
> leave it for however long it takes to kill the snails
> (24h? 48? longer? any ideas anyone?) and then carryout
> 50% water changes every couple of days for two weeks or
> so to get the copper concentration down and prevent
> ammonium buildup from dead snails. I may have to repeat
> this if I don't get them all on the first try.
> 
> Does this seem like an okay idea or is this just totally
> not on in a planted tank? Opinions welcomed?
> 
> Tank info: 48x14x18" 50g tank - 42g water column
> 1.5wpg of T8 FL on for 10.5 h
> pressurised CO2, external reactor on fluval 204 output.
> shooting for 20-30ppm.
> ~50 bpm 24/7. Powerhead runs at night to agitate surface
> for CO2 offgasing and O2 transfer
> Tap water is very soft
> 50% waterchange 2x week
> Before refilling, add 15mL aquaplus dechlorinator
> During refilling, add 3tsp CaCl2, 1tsp MgSO4, 3tsp
> NaHCO3, 1tsp K2SO4
> After refilling, add 1/2tsp KNO3, 60mL KH2PO4 (1/2tsp in
> 500mL stock), 10mL traces
> temp 82F, GH 8, KH 5, pH 6.6
> 4 discus, 2 SAEs, 8 rummynose, 7 cardinals, 8 ottos, 4
> corys.
> 
> Cheers
> Clint
> 
> 
> 
>                                                          
>             
> 
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=====
Want to get dirty but stay clean? 

Diana Walstad, author of _Ecology of the Planted Aquarium_ will discuss soil supplemented aquarium substrates at the 2004 AGA Convention.

Convention Details/Registration at aquatic-gardeners.org & gwapa.org
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