Re: algae

["unclescott" <unclescott at prodigy_net>]

> Algae might be an eye sore. I once had this problem and resolved it by
> introducing apple snails to my tanks they thrive on it. and of course
> reducing the light affluence into the tank.

Bringing apple snails in to clean algae from plants is a little like
bringing the proverbial tiger in to catch the mice. :)

Some "mystery snails" were purchased and they happened to breed (and breed
and breed....) in a tank crowded with gardneri, plants and probably too much
extra flake food. At a certain critical point they became big enough and
numerous enough to eat a lot of plant material in short order.

Most of the plants were rescued, but the apple snails even ate the
root/rhizome of a Java fern. Somebody, somewhere, suggested that part of the
fern was dangerous to plant eaters. Not those apple snails.

They were retired to their own ten gallon tank, which caught some sunlight.
On a diet of plant trimmings, the odd bean or piece of zucchini from the
kitchen, they performed yeoman service producing the material for a thriving
greenwater culture.

They did need to be covered. This after the kids found several distinctive
slimy trails across the fishroom. When the escapees ran out of energy or
moisture, they seem to have closed up their shells and patiently waited for
some dopey aquarist to rescue them and return them to the tank.

A new game on summer vacation. Find that snail. Should'a named them all
Waldo.

All the best!

Scott

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