apple and mistery snails in planted tank fot algae control?

[fishfanatic]

My lfs has mistery and apple snails. Are ether of these a good choice for algae control in a planted tank? I also want to know if my tank will be over run by baby snails lol?

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

Yes they will control the algae, but if the apple snails you bought were thrue apple snails, then they will also eat your plants

 

[fishfanatic]

I have not purchased any snails yet... would I be better off getting the mistery snails? And will mistery snails lay tuns of eggs?

 

[maddybrat]

Mystery snails are in the apple snail family... From what everyone told me.

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

The thing is, its hard to tell between a mystery snail, and an apple snail. And yes they will lay many eggs. 1 female will lay around 100

 

[fishfanatic]

If you can't tell I have never had snails before... I have heard nerite snails are good. What would be the best algae eating, non plant eating snail out there?

 

[Desastre]

I use nerite snails and ottos for my tank and they do a great job at cleaning. Thinking of getting a bristlenose soon just to add to my bottom dweller collection.

 

[BeavisMom62]

Me too, desastre. Apple/mystery's aren't great algae eaters anyway really. I too use nerites and BN's in my tanks. Work great and they won't eat your plants like apple snails do.

 

[fishfanatic]

What is BN's?

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

Britle Nose pleco. I have an Albino BN

 

[fishfanatic]

How big do BN get? Will they eat algae there whole life?

 

[roydooms]

I have nerite snails, BNPs and amano shrimps to help control algae. All of them looks like they're eating algae constantly. Horned nerite snails are great with eating algae from plant leaves. They are tiny and won't bend or break your sensitive plants. You wont have to worry about nerite snails taking over your tank because they only reproduce in brackish water.

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

I'm pretty sure they stay small, like 5 inches max. They prefer other foods over algae, but ya they'll eat some types of algae.

 

[BeavisMom62]

Also, apples get pretty big so you need a big enough tank for them. And they are messy! Lots of snail poo to clean up! LOL. Nerites hardly affect the biofiltration at all.

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

You could also look into Flying Foxes.

 

[roydooms]

How big do BN get? Will they eat algae there whole life?

4-5". They will eat algae their whole life. But not all types of algae. An occasional algae wafer or a piece of zucchini will be great for the BN. You should have DW in your tank if you decide to keep them. DW is an important part of their diet.

 

[fishfanatic]

I think I will try to get my hands on some horn nerite snails. The main thing I need them to do is clean the algae off the leaves of the plants. Does anyone know were to get some?

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

Azgardens.com

 

[fishfanatic]

How many shouldn't I get for a 40 gallon high tank?

 

[Esoteric Backbone]

4-5". They will eat algae their whole life. But not all types of algae. An occasional algae wafer or a piece of zucchini will be great for the BN. You should have DW in your tank if you decide to keep them. DW is an important part of their diet.

What is DW (Newb Question) : /