[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
[APD] Re: Aquatic-Plants Digest, Vol 12, Issue 25
Oops! Forgot to mention the substrate! 2-3" of soil mixed with vermiculite capped with 1-2" of 2-5mm gravel. The foreground (unplanted) gets vaccumed regularly, but the backs a different story.
I've heard all about the wonders of loaches. But don't they get big (for bottom dwellers)? Shouldn't they be kept in schools? Isn't my tank stocked heavily enough with fish already? Don't really want to add anymore fish to this tank if I don't have to. Especially big fellas.
My attitude towards the snails does change with my mood too! They used to be fine, but since adding the discus ~5months ago, the population has exploded due to extra feeding. When I'm sitting back on the couch watching the tank they don't really bother me, but when I get up real close and see the "gravel" moving and the thousands of snails everywere, they tend to give me the irrates.
If copper aint going to work/is too risky then I'll give it a miss. Back to manual removal I guess.
Cheers
Clint
> From: Scott H <holdsworth at gmail_com>
> Subject: Re: [APD] snail killing chemicals
> To: aquatic plants digest <aquatic-plants at actwin_com>
>
> It looks like you have MTS (Malasian Trumpet Snail), "Common Pond"
> snails, and ramshorn. For the second two most loaches will take care
> of them by eating the young ones. You could probably use a pair of
> dojo loaches to clean them up. My dojo loaches leave me with about
> 3-5 of each in the tank. The MTS you will have a more difficult time
> with. I have found an occasional good gravel cleaning does a good job
> on keeping the population in check. You didn't mention what you
> substrate is though. Hopefully someone else knows a good way to rid
> yourself of most of the MTS.
>
> As for a the chemicals. I wouldn't use any chemical snail
> eliminiator. Your plants won't like it and I doubt the discus will
> either. I know I wouldn't take the risk.
>
> If you had any interest in up rooting all your plants, maybe a 1:20
> bleach/water dip on your plants and equip may help. Just be sure to
> dechlorinate dip after words, ;-) .
>
> I also would like to see others thoughts on this.
> From: "S. Hieber" <shieber at yahoo_com>
> Subject: Re: [APD] snail killing chemicals
> To: aquatic plants digest <aquatic-plants at actwin_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
_______________________________________________
Aquatic-Plants mailing list
Aquatic-Plants at actwin_com
http://www.actwin.com/mailman/listinfo.cgi/aquatic-plants