Bye Bye PEST SNAILS!!!

[snailstreaks]

It sounds like that tank may need a cleaning over haul.... 5!

How thick is the substrate? You may have stuff rotting in the gravel... or dead plant material? 5 is a big big crash. Something is decomposing in your tank in a major way.

Baking soda is a quick fix... not the answer. To dose your tank like that is the same as using a band-aid to fix a broken leg.

You may need to do some serious vacuuming... daily. Try doing it in quarters... and really get into that gravel. Make sure the substrate is no thicker than 1/2 inch... and have crushed coral mixed in.

[Guest]

It sounds like that tank may need a cleaning over haul.... 5!

How thick is the substrate? You may have stuff rotting in the gravel... or dead plant material? 5 is a big big crash. Something is decomposing in your tank in a major way.

Baking soda is a quick fix... not the answer. To dose your tank like that is the same as using a band-aid to fix a broken leg.

You may need to do some serious vacuuming... daily. Try doing it in quarters... and really get into that gravel. Make sure the substrate is no thicker than 1/2 inch... and have crushed coral mixed in.

The pH has always dropped in that tank. My substrate is at least 1.5 inches. I can reduce that if it will helps. The tank has fluorite mixed with the gravel but I didn't think that would change the pH.

I have an African root and a rock, both from aquarium shops. I also have live plants and LOTS of the pest snails. When you cleaned that 5 gallon tank how did you clean your live plants?

Theresa

[snailstreaks]

I didn't.... they got tossed. They were waving masses of snail egg gel... and I have baby plants from my other tanks to replace them. Usually the plants are dipped in a 5% bleach solution (1 part bleach... 19 parts water). I did not want to risk any possible means of re-infestation.

1.5 inches is way too thick. Very serious... that is your trouble. You have junk building up in the substrate. It is so hard to clean... and so much gets trapped underneath. Not to mention the baby pest snails are also wandering through the gravel. Ideal thickness is 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.

I am not familiar with African Root.

If you are using the gravel as means of anchoring the plants... get plant weights instead. The roots also need circulation... and build up happens very easily around the roots.

If you have an infestation even somewhat close to what I did... the pest snails are making a huge mess. They are fouling the water.

[luvfishies]

The African Root will lower the pH and KH. Some live plants will, too, notably Vallisneria and Sags.

Just for giggles, also test the tapwater after it's sat out in a glass for a day. That is the "true" pH/Kh, not when it's fresh from the tap.

I agree, take out some of the gravel (flourite doesn't mess with pH/KH) but leave enough for the plants roots (1").