How to not catch snails?

clawdate · Feb 13, 2013

All the plants at the local pets mart are crawling with snails. How do you prevent them from getting into your tank?

Dominick · Feb 13, 2013

Thoroughly rinsing them but I doubt even that will do the job...

Azhael · Feb 13, 2013

I´ll never understand why people are so keen on getting rid of snails...they are useful!

HodgeaPodge · Feb 13, 2013

The best option would be to rinse them, quarantine them for a week, then rinse them again.

If a lotl swallowed a snail it could be a problem, so I can understand why some wouldn't want them.

clawdate · Feb 20, 2013

I used to think snails were cute and harmless but last time I got them in a batch of plants, I realized that they produce a constant stream of poop. I am not looking to increase the amount of waste in my tank.

I have heard of chemical treatments in the past but was interested to know if anyone has used something like that effectively (and safely)

Morrison · Feb 22, 2013

I always placed a slice of cucumber in the tank. Snails love it and after a while there are a bunch of them on it and then you can remove it including snails easily. Then repeat until (most of) the snails are out.

snuggly time · Feb 22, 2013

Morrison said:
I always placed a slice of cucumber in the tank. Snails love it and after a while there are a bunch of them on it and then you can remove it including snails easily. Then repeat until (most of) the snails are out.

Thanks for the tip! They have taken over my fish tank and the gravel is just totally covered in snail poop. Removed 75% of the water today and didn't even make a dint in the amount of waste in there, don't think my fishies are coping, one died :s

We thought they were great at first but now the tank is a big snail toilet.

Morrison · Feb 22, 2013

Yeah I had some snail problems before when I had fish before changing to lotls. But cucumber slices usually float so you might want to pin them down with a toothpick or something.

snuggly time · Feb 23, 2013

Thanks, I'll anchor it down with an ornament.

Kerry M · Feb 23, 2013

What a great tip, I'll remember that when I buy my plants next.

Morrison · Feb 23, 2013

Very welcome

Bdyoung · Feb 23, 2013

You could also give the plants a salt bath which would kill the snails.

FX1C · Feb 24, 2013

A friend of mine suggested soaking the plant in a 1/50 mix of bleach / water leave for ten minutes then thoroughly rinse in tap water... Then soak for an hour or more in heavily dechlorinated water (double the normal dose) check to see it doesn't smell of bleach. Apparently this also makes sure that unwanted algae are also killed, like black hair algae. It's great to treat driftwood plants that may have things growing in the woods nooks & crannies

so far I've not lost any plants by doing this & I haven't seen a snail in my 6ft or 4ft axolotl tanks.

<3 >o_o< <3

SapphireTigress · Mar 10, 2013

WOW i had no idea snails were that much of an issue in tanks! I will definitely be having a second tank when I start a colony of Mystery snails to feed my lizards!

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How to not catch snails?

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