Pond Snails!!!

[BfishLpond78]

I know its not a huge deal, but i finally made it to the LFS before everyone else did and scooped up about 30 pond snails for future GSP, I think im going to need to get a bigger tank for them to live in, this lil 2 gallon isnt gonna cut it because they're already laying eggs. Any one know how long after the eggs are laid they will hatch? Do i need to add anything in the water besides food to help them along?

 

[Rosenweiss]

Not really. The pond snails will be coming out your ears. It's more likely you'd have to beg them not to breed.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

I know its not a huge deal, but i finally made it to the LFS before everyone else did and scooped up about 30 pond snails for future GSP, I think im going to need to get a bigger tank for them to live in, this lil 2 gallon isnt gonna cut it because they're already laying eggs. Any one know how long after the eggs are laid they will hatch? Do i need to add anything in the water besides food to help them along?

I think they'll breed in an actively used toilet bowl lol. I've got a few spawning in a tub holding excess plants and they're doing good without adding any food. I put some new plants in my BW tank when I first started cycling (FW) and some how they survived the high ammo/no2 and there's about 15 that I can see/count. My BB Gobies don't seem interested in them, so I figure I should have a good colony of snails by the time my GSP go in next week. If you have shells in your BW tank they'll use those to trim their beaks too.

 

[basketballqt]

I accidently got some of these snails in with a shipment of plants I'd say less than a month ago... I only noticed one or two after a few days of having the plants in there.. and now they are everywhere... so I'm guessing that the eggs hatch in less than 30 days...

 

[Rosenweiss]

I NEVER see eggs with our pond snails. It's like the new ones come right out of the bodies. They usually lay eggs in jelly sacs under a leaf.

 

[Crepe]

I stopped caring about pond snails. They limit themselves and with enough plants you hardly see them. I've got tiny 3mm red ramshorns and pond and bladder snails among my limpets, ostracods, tiny worms and amphipods that hitch hiked into my tank.

 

[BfishLpond78]

Well my 10 gal is now crawling with lil white specs stuck to the glass, looks like my GSP is gonna have lots of crunchy snacks soon. Would i be able to add ghost shrimp to the tank without and problems?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Well my 10 gal is now crawling with lil white specs stuck to the glass, looks like my GSP is gonna have lots of crunchy snacks soon. Would i be able to add ghost shrimp to the tank without and problems?

I have ghosties and AES in my BW tank, GS have been in for a few days and AES for 18hrs. Both seem to be doing great. My pond snails count must be well over 100 (if not 150) so our GSP will be we'll fed too lol.

 

[BfishLpond78]

AES?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

AES?

Algae Eating Shrimp, AKA Amano Shrimp.

 

[BfishLpond78]

Oh ok, you're not worried about the GSP eating too much if all this is in your tank. They have a pigish appetite and will just keep eating until nothing is left.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Oh ok, you're not worried about the GSP eating too much if all this is in your tank. They have a pigish appetite and will just keep eating until nothing is left.

I'll pull some of the shrimp (just incase) when the GSP's go in, but I have lots of hiding spaces for the BBG's and shrimp. Besides with all the ponds snails, I think the GSP will have plenty to eat lol. Also feeder guppies will be part of the GSP diet.

 

[BfishLpond78]

Awesome, I have my tank all set up and ready to go for my guy. I just need some rock work and some hiding places. I'm trying to figure out what else to put in there with my GSP. Do you think a brackish eel would be a bad choice?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Awesome, I have my tank all set up and ready to go for my guy. I just need some rock work and some hiding places. I'm trying to figure out what else to put in there with my GSP. Do you think a brackish eel would be a bad choice?

There's a few fish you can put in, just keep in mind that GSP are dirty eaters so they leave lots of uneaten (live) food behind. Filtering for the bioload was my first concern and some kind of cuc has been a struggle. BL Hermit crabs are an option once the 1.020 SG, but they don't do well in lower SG (1.003 for the baby GSP I'm waiting for).

BBG's were my choice to add some life to the tank without over loading the filter bioload I have calculated, plus they're mean looking and from my research the warning color some species exhibit is universal so the GSP "should" leave them alone lol.

 

[BfishLpond78]

I'm looking into a second source of filtration. What are you using for your tank? Should i upgrade to a small canister for the GSP?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

I'm looking into a second source of filtration. What are you using for your tank? Should i upgrade to a small canister for the GSP?

I have the Fluval 305 can on my 29g. Works great and the media customization options are unlimited.

 

[BfishLpond78]

Do you think a 305 would be enough for my 36 gal or should i go bigger?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Do you think a 305 would be enough for my 36 gal or should i go bigger?

I'd say it'll be fine, it good for 75g and I chose it because I may upgrade my 29g BW to a 37g tall in a year. The media surface (not so much flow rate) is what I was looking at and this one is a perfect balance IMO.

 

[BfishLpond78]

What kind of media are you using in the filter?

 

[Mr. Limpet]

What kind of media are you using in the filter?

I've kept the (side) 4 foam sponges in place , the 3 (split) trays are setup as follows:

Top: Eheim Substrat Pro/Poly-fil (poly is in final output side to tank)
Middle: Eheim Substrat Pro/Eheim Substrat Pro
Bottom: Poly-fil/Poly-fil

Poly-fil is basically pillow stuffing that most any craft or fabric store carries. Make sure it's pure, with no fire retardants, etc. I use Fairfield brand.