Snails inside canister filter!

[MexicanFish]

So I had this 80 gal set upfor about two weeks, I used to have a 55 gal and used the same Rena XP4 on the 80.

Just a few min ago I finished cleaning the filter, first time since setting up the 80, anyway, inside it was full of snails! most of them alive. Is this a common occurence? it never happened in the 55 gallon.

[geoff_tropheus]

Sounds like your 80 gallon had snails and they migrated into the filter and bloomed by eating whatever mulm is in the filter. They love that crap.

To get rid of the snails, I had-a-snail the tank for 2 days, and do a waterchange then add coppersafe in the tank for atleast a month.

In extreme cases I have had to microwave filter media to kill off those little Bleeps!

[MexicanFish]

Well, I'm gonna have to wait at least a week to see what im gonna do, I kinda like snails, and my big, fat goldfish loves them.

If they still clog the filter, I'll nuke the little (edited for family enjoyment) . lol

[Darbex]

I bet you probably have MTS in there they especially love hanging out in the filters. When they get bigger you will notice them at night all over your tank. If you have other inverts in the tank be careful with the chemical based treatments as they may kill them off as well like shrimp and such.

[wesleydnunder]

A pre-filter sponge over the intake will keep the snails from getting back into your filter in the future.

Mark

[grillmasterp]

How tall is the 80 compared to the 55 -
If the 55 is a taller tank, the bottom of the intake tube was probably higher from the substrate- making it more difficult for small snails to get in.

[peterp63]

The snails will crawl all over the tank (glass, tubes, etc.). I don't think the height of the tank matters. Just my two cents.

Also, mts is crazy hard to get rid of. Just try to enjoy them :)

[Darbex]

Or throw some in the microwave.

[djmatthewblack]

I think MTS are the most annoying. Mostly cause if you wanted to add something that eats them, few things eat them. Small loaches are usually pretty good at getting rid of the things, and there were some assassin snails going around awhile back which I would love to get some.

I like snails but prefer the mystery snails, and a smashed ramshorn is a cherished treat for my angelfish, but MTS can be just hell on plants.

[Nickintex]

Or throw some in the microwave.