fish tank question

[Godsgrl]

I recently cleaned my aquarium, and because it was really dirty, I removed the fish, took everything out, scrubbed it with soap, and put it all back together. Since then, nothing new has been added. Absolutely nothing new. So.....how did I end up with a snail?

 

[RabbitMage]

Snails will live in anything forever.

Having said that, you should never completely clean out your fish tank, especially with soap! Doing so removes all of the beneficial bacteria, and the soap can harm your fish.

 

[Brindlebtch]

You should only change the aquarium water about 1/3 at a time. The petstore should have small suction hoses to filter the gravel as you siphon water out and clean the gravel. You can use a small fiber pad to scrape algae off the glass.

Go talk to the aquarium guy at the pet store. He'll help you out.

 

[SarahFair]

Dont clean with soap.
I use vinigar. And only did that when I had to break down to move..

 

[patandchickens]

Yes, you are lucky to have dodged a bullet in getting away with cleaning with soap (and doing a total break-down and re-set, as well, unless this is just a goldfish bowl) *this* time, it would not be a good idea to do again!

I will betcha that the snail was there before, survived the cleanse in some nook or cranny of an ornament or plant or among gravel, and it's only now gotten big enough for you to *notice*.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Godsgrl]

Yeah I know I shouldn't have cleaned it that way, but it was really dirty, I had neglected it a little too long. I'll clean it the right way from now on. It would be easier, I'm sure.

That is interesting how snails can survive all of that cleaning and come out unscathed. He's a cute little guy, I was just so surprised to see him in there. Thanks for your reply!

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I set up a fish tank last year in January and added some plants and a few ramshorn snails. A few got big enough for me to see and then my betta ate them all. I didn't see any more snails (Eggs OR babies) in the tank until late in the summer and they appeared all of a sudden! There were about five of them, all very big and very happy! I have no idea where the heck they were hiding all that time!

It was funny though, because I was having an issue with algae since the tank was still sort of new and then after the snails appeared, they ate the algae and the water cleared right up! I barely even have to clean the gravel anymore. I basically just do water changes.

 

[Brindlebtch]

I have never had snails. I have a lot of live plants in my aquarium. Do you think a snail would bother the plants and just eat the algae? I have gone to a lot of effort to have nice healthy live plants and don't want them damaged. I have a plecostamus and algae eating shrimp, but a snail would be interesting, unless the loaches would kill it.

 

[snowydiamonds]

Loaches LOVE escargo...snail, but you end up with a lot of shells that disolve into the gravel and its no fun sifting through the gravel when suction cleaning.

 

[Godsgrl]

Quote:
I have 3 loaches in my tank!