Nerite Snails vs. Diatoms

jeffs99dime · 12-13-2012, 12:10 AM

Video of How my Red Spotted Nerite Snails tear up diatoms
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fD8XkIiRS4&feature=plcp

HybridHerp · 12-13-2012, 12:30 AM

I believe every tank needs a few nerites, because they are awesome snails just in appearance, and then combined with their algae destroying abilities.........
I think one of these per 3 gallons makes for a good number.....I only wish that they would breed in freshwater so that I could have hundreds in my 75

jeffs99dime · 12-13-2012, 01:02 AM

Nerites are Awesome! Sorry to hear about your tanks. That sucks. Sandy was a nightmare!

FriendsNotFood · 12-13-2012, 01:19 AM

Nerites are the best, I just learned the hard way not to put them in acrylic tanks.

Hidden Walrus · 12-13-2012, 03:38 AM

I love my zebra nerites. They keep my 2 5 gallon tanks spotless. My anubias in both tanks continually get covered in brown diatoms, and then the nerites find it and clean it off completely. I have a weekly cycle in my tank of the anubias gradually getting browner and browner and then the nerites cleaning it again. Without them my tanks would be covered in algae. They really are the best algae eaters and I can't think of any that could do better in a small tank.

jeffs99dime · 12-13-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FriendsNotFood

Nerites are the best, I just learned the hard way not to put them in acrylic tanks.

Why don't they work in acrylic tanks?

Hidden Walrus · 12-13-2012, 03:46 PM

I assume their powerful rasping mouths would scratch the hell out of an acrylic tank.

FriendsNotFood · 12-13-2012, 07:11 PM

Yup they make the acrylic permanently cloudy over time with little mouth patterns. I should take a pic of what one nerite did over the course of a year. That's why I'll be upgrading my tanks to glass whenever I can.

Seems like any critter strong enough to scrape hard green algae is sadly strong enough to permanently damage acrylic.

kalawai2000 · 12-16-2012, 09:05 PM

Not necessary true about these snails or other snails damaging acrylic tanks. I have nerites in a acrylic tank and see no problem at all from them or my brushynose pleco.

12-13-2012, 12:10 AM	#1
jeffs99dime Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 14	Nerite Snails vs. Diatoms Video of How my Red Spotted Nerite Snails tear up diatoms http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fD8XkIiRS4&feature=plcp __________________ My tank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U_CnjhG0CQ

12-13-2012, 12:30 AM	#2
HybridHerp Planted Tank Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: May 2012 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	I believe every tank needs a few nerites, because they are awesome snails just in appearance, and then combined with their algae destroying abilities......... I think one of these per 3 gallons makes for a good number.....I only wish that they would breed in freshwater so that I could have hundreds in my 75 __________________ My 75 gallon High Tech Tank: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...842&highlight= My 10 gallon High Tech Tank: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...73#post3517673 My 5.5 gallon nano College Dorm Tank: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/sh...94#post2114094

12-13-2012, 01:02 AM	#3
jeffs99dime Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 14	Nerites are Awesome! Sorry to hear about your tanks. That sucks. Sandy was a nightmare! __________________ My tank: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2U_CnjhG0CQ

12-16-2012, 09:05 PM	#9
kalawai2000 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (1/100%) Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Kalaheo,HI Posts: 187	Not necessary true about these snails or other snails damaging acrylic tanks. I have nerites in a acrylic tank and see no problem at all from them or my brushynose pleco. __________________ Tanks Forever

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12-13-2012, 01:19 AM	#4
FriendsNotFood Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: West Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,005	Nerites are the best, I just learned the hard way not to put them in acrylic tanks.

12-13-2012, 03:38 AM	#5
Hidden Walrus Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Hobart, Indiana Posts: 124	I love my zebra nerites. They keep my 2 5 gallon tanks spotless. My anubias in both tanks continually get covered in brown diatoms, and then the nerites find it and clean it off completely. I have a weekly cycle in my tank of the anubias gradually getting browner and browner and then the nerites cleaning it again. Without them my tanks would be covered in algae. They really are the best algae eaters and I can't think of any that could do better in a small tank.

12-13-2012, 03:46 PM	#7
Hidden Walrus Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Hobart, Indiana Posts: 124	I assume their powerful rasping mouths would scratch the hell out of an acrylic tank.

12-13-2012, 07:11 PM	#8
FriendsNotFood Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (10/100%) Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: West Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,005	Yup they make the acrylic permanently cloudy over time with little mouth patterns. I should take a pic of what one nerite did over the course of a year. That's why I'll be upgrading my tanks to glass whenever I can. Seems like any critter strong enough to scrape hard green algae is sadly strong enough to permanently damage acrylic.