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  #1  
Old 07/22/2002, 07:48 AM
edwardlmarshall edwardlmarshall is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 236
Snails capsizing

OK, I had this problem in my first reef aquarium and it seemed to go away, but now it is occurring again in the new one (which replaced the old one). According to my logs, it is happening at EXACTLY 2 months into both aquariums (aquaria?) -- 2 months from the introduction of LR, which I count as the beginning even though my water had been brewing for several weeks before that. With the first tank it went away after several weeks.

Anyway, first thing in the morning I will find 1 or 2 snails (Turbos mostly, sometimes Trochus) upside down on the sand. I just flip them over with the handle of my net and they are on their way again. Not one has ever died as a result. My LFS said this is "normal" with Turbos -- I guess they are are just clumsier than other snails. However, I don't believe this for a second. What they may mean is that it is "not harmful?" I still doubt that.

The first time I thought it was low alkalinity or salinity but this time I do not. My parameters: T 80*, SG 1.025, pH 8.3, Alk 4.0 meq/l, Ca 450, no NO3/PO4. I do have mushrooms, varying polyps, and a leather coral, and I know these can be somewhat toxic. Other denizens include frogspawn, xenia, blasto, porites, small BTAs, and feather duster.

I cannot seem to find any other correlation other than the age of the tank. Has/does anyone else have this problem? Dr. Ron, what is your opinion and/or advice? Thanks in advance, everyone!
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  #2  
Old 07/22/2002, 07:54 AM
edwardlmarshall edwardlmarshall is offline
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Location: Austin, TX
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Wanted to clear up one things since this seems to be happening in the early morning hours more than any other time. My pH tends to range from 8.15-8.20 on the low end (before the lights) to 8.30-8.33 on the high end (toward the end of the photoperiod). pH is measured with a digital meter.
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  #3  
Old 07/22/2002, 10:26 AM
rshimek rshimek is offline
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Hi Ed,

This problem relates to the "appropriateness" of the snails for reef tanks.

Some snails, such as the ones you have are not found in nature in habitats that have flat surfaces like a sand bottom, they are found only on rocky ridges or rubble. Basically when they get flipped off of rocks (often by fish, or getting caught by a transitory strong current) or fall off (due mostly to malnutrition) they can find a nearby rock to fasten to, and then flip over. In their evolutionary history, they never have developed either the behavior or the musculature to allow them to turn over without purchase on an adjacent rock.

If you feel the snails have enough food, then they simply are not animals that should be in a reef tank. Since they are... You will have to look out for them.
  #4  
Old 07/22/2002, 06:08 PM
edwardlmarshall edwardlmarshall is offline
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Austin, TX
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OK - thanks Dr. Ron. I guess the LFS people were partially right. This is "normal" behavior for an animal in an abnormal environment. I will make sure they are looked out for!
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