Tropical Fish Forums

unissuh

Something that has occurred to me recently - has anyone ever tried "nuking" a tank to kill snails? Obviously after removing fish, shrimp and other desirable inhabitants first to a holding tank until it is safe to return them.

I can think of two or 3 "nukes" of choice: CO2 overdose, magnesium overdose or clove oil overdose. All 3 should kill snails at an appropriate concentration and are harmless to plants, the biological filter and decor in the tank.

Assassin snails seem to be the favoured option, but aren't available here and probably never will be.

Does anyone see any major flaws with this idea?
_________________
Fishing in the Rivers of Light

diademhill · Advisors Joined: 18 Apr 2007

susankatomerit · Advisors Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Location: Tulsa, Ok

Yes, but that don't get rid of the snails on the plants. I have set up a 10 gal that I put the plants in, no light and add a full bottle of rid a snail to it and let sit a couple of days. Also did the same in a second tank same variables but added alum to the tank. After 8 hours the snails were dead in the alum tank. 24 hours of rid a snail tank still a few surviving.
_________________
47 tanks and still adding!
http://fishphotoforum.com/forum/index.php

diademhill · Advisors Joined: 18 Apr 2007

I always use a potassium permanganate dip for plants.

Kills snail and snail eggs.

unissuh

I don't know about stripping down the tank being easier. I'm thinking more about heavily planted or decorated tanks, it's so much work to strip down and redo. Never looks the same afterwards though, and all the root systems are pretty much destroyed. Doesn't guarantee snails hitching in the substrate too, even if you treat the plants. Can't think of anything good to treat the substrate with except the oven.

Quick vac should get rid of most of the dying snails, ammonia spike would be a problem if they all die at once.
_________________
Fishing in the Rivers of Light

susankatomerit · Advisors Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Location: Tulsa, Ok

Dusko · Moderators Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Location: Sweden

snakemao62 · Members Joined: 26 Jul 2009 Location: Sac,Ca USA

All my snail out brakes have been done easily with no harm to anything in the tank.It will take up to week or more depending on how many you have.No chemicals.Use what they like best,'food',and trap them.Use an old 16oz soda bottle.Poke holes big enough for you snails only to get through.Place any food in the bottle and rocks to wait.Tighten cap and place into tank and wait.Take the bottle out when you have a lot captured and simply wash them out.Restock with food and repeat.For big tanks use a 1 liter bottle.Very simple with a little work.

unissuh

Traps never remove all the snails, very effective at reducing the population sure, but give 'em a couple of months and they're back.

Unfortunately dwarf puffers are also unavailable here Dusko. I could try using a Macrobrachium sp - M. australiense and M. bullatum are meant to be voracious snail hunters. Problem is where to put them after I'm done as they also attack fish and shrimp given half a chance.
_________________
Fishing in the Rivers of Light

ant1 · Members Joined: 09 Mar 2011 Location: barnsley

I tried the gently gently aproach and did'nt realise the crafty beggars laid eggs in every corner of the tank.I had to totally disrupt everything and even resorted to bleach.the fish were safely housed else where but the dreaded outbreak has gone and my fish are without substrate but well looked after with regular water changes and proper filtration.