+Mlaw Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I have a 130 gallon tank built into a wall. Guy that had the house before us put it in. I don't think he had a clue what he was doing. Access is basically nil. Once something goes in there is no getting it out. When we bought the house (on a foreclosure) the tank was basically dead. I worked on it for awhile and then the lights shorted and caught fire. Amazing how much damage a fire extinguisher does to a tank. Now 3 years later I have got it up and running. Water parameters are good. Lots of dead detritus and algae. Time of a clean up crew. This is where I made my mistake. I'm on a budget for this project. Wife didn't appreciate the tank trying to burn the house down so I don't have a lot of room to spend money on it. I got suckered on ebay and bought 250 ilyanssarius obsoleta snails. I admit it. I didn't do my research. I got suckered by the name nassarius in the write up. Hell of a deal on a massive clean up crew. They're in there now. Doing an incredible job of cleaning up. I wish I had taken pictures. They are removing years of accumulated algae etc. Incredible improvement in appearance. Problem is now I know about the issues with lifespan and predation on beneficial inverts. On a normal tank I'd probably let them go at it for another couple of months and then start removing them. No way that is going to happen on this tank. I could probably grab some but will never get them all out of there. Any thoughts? Snail traps? Or just don't worry about it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarmerTy Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Yikes! Start over! I'm more worried about the possibly flukes! Empty out everything, kill them all (for sure don't release them in any native waters), and start over. Just my 2 cents! Sorry about the problem, we all make mistakes along the way to our perfect reef tanks. http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/mg/index.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mlaw Posted November 8, 2012 Author Share Posted November 8, 2012 I don't think I'll be able to get them out. I'd have to remove a wall to get the angle to be able to get deep enough into the tank. no fish in the tank at the moment. Just some hermit crabs. Should I dose with something to try to kill the flukes off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gott Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 The bigger problem isn't the lifespan or the predation on your infauna; it is the risk of accidental infection by parasitic flatworm larvae causing something known as "swimmer's itch." in such a small volume of water the concentration can cause infection on a level that is much more devastating than just an "itch"; especially if you happen to be allergic. Be careful putting your hands in there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gott Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-11/mg/index.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Gott Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 Whoops, while I was writing that and looking for that link it already got posted--sorry for the double-post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I'd fix the access issue first and foremost(realizing cost is an issue). If you cant maintain the system like it needs to be, you will lose interest/neglect it, etc and be right back to square one. Regarding the snails, I think the snail trap is your best bet. I'd throw some raw shrimp into a mayo jar and collect as many as you can. It might take a few tries to get em all. Get some of those long sleeved gloves for working in the tank. Those whole arm length ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jestep Posted November 8, 2012 Share Posted November 8, 2012 I'd fix the access issue first and foremost(realizing cost is an issue). If you cant maintain the system like it needs to be, you will lose interest/neglect it, etc and be right back to square one. I was thinking the same thing. It's bad enough messing around in a sump under a cabinet. The DT should have really good access. I'd be happy to lend a sledge hammer and sawsall if you need one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mlaw Posted November 8, 2012 Author Share Posted November 8, 2012 Believe me I've thought about it. Problem is that if I start doing that kind of work the wife is going to expect the tank to go to. I think I'll just have to live with the access limitations. I'll start pulling snails out via trap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Jakedoza Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I have a small child.. Kidding.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mlaw Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 So do I use the small child to reach into the hard to reach places or as bait? Next question: assuming I can get the majority of these guys out of my tank, what do I do with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I'm not sure how one would humanely dispose of those snails, but maybe put them in a bucket of freshwater and place it outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sascha D. Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 +1 on starting over. You should love your tank. Having access problems will just make you feel bad about the whole thing. I would start over, with fresh rock and everything. Empty the tank, drop all the rocks into fresh water, clean it, fix the framing and then set it back up. 1. It will give you less headache later 2. You know you don't have anything bad in there because you killed everything 3. The wife will be happier in the long term Here's what you don't want. You don't want to "think" you fixed the problem and have to revisit it over and over again. That much I've learned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mlaw Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 I might be able to do some work to improve access but starting over isn't an option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherita Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 The snails can be killed by placing in freshwater and adding a little bleach. Death comes fast to them that way. Get yourself a LARGE lunar wrasse, no snail will ever inhabit your tank again. Mine even kills huge mexican turbos, anything smaller is just a crunchy snack for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robb in Austin Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1379+346&pcatid=346 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+brian.srock Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Shop vac the water out and them with it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+o0zarkawater Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 I agree with the natural predator. Even if you dont want to keep the fish long term, I think it would be the best option. Any of the large wrasses, or even a harlequin tusk would probably do a good number on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
(Bio)³ Posted November 10, 2012 Share Posted November 10, 2012 Tusk are amazing snail hunters... Seen one rip apart snails in a 440 for weeks! He got sooo fat lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mlaw Posted November 11, 2012 Author Share Posted November 11, 2012 I will say this for the ilyanassarius snails. They may have their issues but they have done an incredible job cleaning up my tank. I had a ton of green slime algae growing in sheets over everything thing. Couldn't reach in to manually remove most of it and these little fellas have removed 90% of it. they're still going strong. I'm going to leave them in to finish the job then look at removing them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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