Snails??

[SteveNMegz]

Hey guys
we were just curious
how do you add crabs and snails to your tank??? we are going to add a CUC this weekend and were wondering how to add them.... Were going ot do a 50% water change and the do we just through the snails and crabs in? or do we have to quarantine them for a certain amount of time?? can anyone help??
Thanks!!

[SteveNMegz]

do u follow a standard acclimation method?(drip method) or is there a certain way for invertabrates?

[Slice of Ocean]

I'm sure some people follow the acclimation procedure but I just pour the fish store water down the drain and then I dump my snails/hermits right in the tank and I haven't had any problems or lost any.

[SteveNMegz]

really???? we thought that had to get used to the salinity in our tank first?

[SteveNMegz]

bump

[Paintbug]

generally for crabs, and most inverts, i will float the bag for about 10 mins, then add a cupful of my tanks water to the bag every 2-3 mins. i do this 2-3 times, then remove them from the water and drop them in the tank.

for snails, i will for them in the tank for about 10 mins. then remove them from the water. then i will put them in a dry dish for about 5 mins and let them dry out some. then i will manually place each snail just above the waterline in the tank. they will acclimate themselves, at their own pace. i have found this to be much more effective than dripping or any other acclimation method.

[kraze3]

i wouldnt do a 50% water change. Are you doing this for some reason?

Id use the drip acclimation method. Another way would be to use a turkey baster and add an ounce or two of water to the snails/hermits every 15 mins or so. That should get them acclimated. Also make sure to float the bag to get them at the proper temp.

[SteveNMegz]

well teh tank just finished its cycle were going to do about a 25% water change, wait a couple days then put the snails and crabs in

[SteveNMegz]

we should do a water change before stocking, after the cycle, correct?

[capn_hylinur]

The problem with acclimatizing snails is that alot of times they are kept at the LFS in .018 salinity. If your tank is at .026 then you have problems acclimatizing them in the bag.
I would suggest you set up a qt tank
measure the salinity in the bag and set the same in the qt tank
over 24 hours slowly bring the salinity up to your tank level

[capn_hylinur]

Originally posted by SteveNMegz
we should do a water change before stocking, after the cycle, correct?

IMO its a good idea--it helps get rid of trace nitrates and stabilize your water chemistry

[Deb91]

Marinedepot live says to acclimate them over a 2 hour period by the slow drip method.

[tmz]

These inverts need the same considerations in acclimating as your fish do.

[bertoni]

I would wait for a few weeks of zero ammonia before adding any animals. Some water changes along the way should help remove any secondary metabolites from the system.

For snails, I would acclimate by measuring the SG in the bag, and moving it perhaps 0.0005 units every 15-20 minutes. A drop is one way to do that, but I usually just add some tank water with a cup. A refractometer or conductivity meter make this process a lot easier than it sounds. When the SG in the bag is 0.0005 units from the tank, the acclimation is done.

That should be okay for snails. They reportedly can also be acclimated in some cases by letting them attach to the tank wall above the water line, and letting them enter the system as they acclimate themselves.

[Pea-brain]

Snails should be acclimated longer than fish or alot of other inverts. They are sensitive the Sg and any changes made to fast can cause death. It can take a few months for them to die from it.

Dan

[Crimthann]

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
The problem with acclimatizing snails is that alot of times they are kept at the LFS in .018 salinity. If your tank is at .026 then you have problems acclimatizing them in the bag.
I would suggest you set up a qt tank
measure the salinity in the bag and set the same in the qt tank
over 24 hours slowly bring the salinity up to your tank level

This is hands down the best way to acclimate anything. If I wasn't so damn lazy I'd do it this way. But seeing as I am I put them in a bucket with the LFS water and drip them in for 2 or 3 hours.

[SteveNMegz]

awesome thanks guys, I guess we'll wait and see what the SG from the LFS is and dependant upon that follow the methods listed above, we'll let you know how it goes!!!
Thanks again!