[Kntry]

How do you keep Nerite snails in the tank? I'm finding them on the walls, all over our bedroom floor and a lot of them stay on the top of the tank.:eek5:

I've found Neons and even a shrimp on the floor dead.

I was told not to put the glass top on the tank so how do you keep them in?

 

[H2Ogal]

Nerites tend to roam. In the wild, some species move from freshwater to brackish for breeding and will cross land to do so. But if you are also having fish and shrimp jump, I suspect water quality problems ... or something fishing them out of the tank. Any cats or small children in the home?

 

[Kntry]

No, no kids or pets. LOL

I have the tank filled to moulding so maybe they're jumping too high for the food. The water quality is fine.

I sure hope we don't step on one of the snails. They blend in with the wood floor.

Why should I leave the glass top off?

 

[naich]

No, no kids or pets. LOL

I have the tank filled to moulding so maybe they're jumping too high for the food. The water quality is fine.

I sure hope we don't step on one of the snails. They blend in with the wood floor.

Why should I leave the glass top off?

full coverage of the top will inhibit the vital gas exchange, a fine screen cover could work, or custom make something to block off the rim, but leave the center area open for the light and air.

 

[Kntry]

I didn't think about a screen. That would be perfect.

Yes, I know about gas exchange and never cover the entire surface.

Thanks.

 

[Absntmind]

What are your water parameters? Sounds like something is off...

 

[Kntry]

Unless water parameters are different than koi ponds, the water is fine.

pH 7
Ammonia 0
Nitrites 0
Nitrates 0
Hardness 8 or 143.2
Alkalinity 10 or 179
Temp 80

According to a CO2 chart that I found, the CO2 would be at 30ppm based on the pH and Alkalinity, however the drop checker is green. I'm new to planted tanks and CO2 so I'm not sure how to measure it other than looking at the drop checker which is located at the bottom of the tank on the opposite side from where the CO2 enters at the top.

I can't even get a hardness or alkalinity reading in any of my ponds so I don't know why I have these readings in the tank unless it's the mineralized soil. Even my mud pond doesn't have hardness or alkalinity readings without adding Ag Gypsum a few times a year.

I don't know if dry ferts affect the drop test kits????

 

[Bandit1200]

full coverage of the top will inhibit the vital gas exchange

Very unlikely, just put the top back on the tank.

 

[H2Ogal]

full coverage of the top will inhibit the vital gas exchange, a fine screen cover could work, or custom make something to block off the rim, but leave the center area open for the light and air.

I've always kept the glass covers on my aquariums and never had a problem. There are always gaps around tubes, etc entering through cut-outs in the rear plastic strip.

 

[Briggadane]

While you deal with water, the secret to keeping kamikaze fish and wandering snails in the tank is to cover it with something the fish can breath through, but wont fall in the tank. A window screen is my preferred method. You can find a huge rubber band or make your own from the exercise bands sold in the medical section of your local pharmacy to use cheesecloth and such. You will need to use something in the center to keep it out of the water. Tall driftwood works, as do dowels.

 

[Kntry]

I have always kept the glass cover on my tank and never worried about gas exchange because it has gaps. But, I never had snails before. I thought I couldn't use the glass cover because it had something to do with the PAR levels.

I'm going to see about a screen cover that they use on reptile tanks. If not, I have screen here and pieces of pond liner that I can use for a big rubber band. It sure won't look very good though.:icon_frow

I have an Oceanic tank that has a wide glass support in the center of the tank so the screen will stay out of the water.

Why do the snails stay out of the water? I have some that stay on that glass support.