I have a planted tank with Flourite and added MT snails a month or so ago. There is now an 'infestation' :o of snails which is fun to watch as the gravel seems to be 'swarming' many evenings. I love how clean the tank is . . . but . . . my new problem is that I am having trouble keeping new plants planted! I think it is the movement of the snails in the gravel that is unearthing the roots and I keep finding the plants floating. ::)
Anyone have any advice???
Well, it behooves me to run to the defence of the precious Malaysian trumpet snail, you are starting a terrible rumour.
Plants floating are from two basic reasons, firstly, they are rootless stems with no grip in the substrate, secondly, they are being physically uprooted by an external force, usually a fish.
Leave the MTS alone, they are innocents that serve the health of the tank, they create good conditions for bacteria to thrive, waste to be converted, and plants to have healthy root systems, and of course, they are a barometer of the general health of the tank, when they start swarming up the glass during the early part of the day as a mass exodus, that usually indicates high nitrites and possibly other gases in the substrate.
I suppose the question to ask, what plants are being uprooted, and what fish have you in the tank. I believe you will find the answer in these two areas.
Ok, fair enough. The only reason I suspected the snails is that they seem to cause so much movement in the gravel. I do love the snails and have no intention of getting rid of them even if they are the culprits and I have to repeatedly re-plant.
I have 3 Bolivian Rams, 2 SAEs, 4 tetras (closest guess is 'Rosy's) and 3 corys. I have some larger rocks in the tank and the plants that have more rocks around them seem to be staying put. Does this help at all?
sae's can be pretty active, so can corys...though usually mainly in larger groups than 3...
not really any fish you can get rid of as they fit in well with this tank.
heavier weights!
Yes the rocks will help, I can only assume the plants uprooted are stem plant. The SAE's have a tendency to pull at plant leaves if there is something on them they wish to eat, if the stems are without roots, this may take a while to correct. In no way must you ever slander the delightful little hardworking Malaysian trumpet snails, they are not the culprits. :P The movement in the gravel is good, they help keep it from going septic (anaerobic).
Make sure you have enough light and food for the plants to grow, but I would add that your onslaught, or infestation you call it, is a direct result of the snails having an abundance of food. It is often a sign of overfeeding the fish in the tank. Be kind to your Malaysian trumpet snails, they are your friends. :)
I don't think I'm overfeeding - I feed once per day and the fish all attack the food like they are starving and nothing is left over. Also, my parameters are all good and I test weekly before water changes. Maybe I am using stronger language than necessary - 'infestation' for instance. All the plants have good root systems but of course when newly planted don't yet have a good 'grip' into the substrate.
I like your more/heavier rocks idea groan :) I will at least temporarily move rocks to give newer plants a better chance to be protected while they get well rooted in.
Sorry if I have offended you Babble as I completely understand your mother bear attitude towards the MTS - they do play a wonderful part in balancing the ecosystem!
No offence taken, I just felt like giving you a run for your money for those terrible connections you were making to one of the few glorious unsung heroes of the home aquarium. ;)
Ok, maybe I wasn't exaggerating when I said infestation!
There are about 30 teeny baby MTSs crawling up the glass! >:( I've tested the nitrates . . = 0. I've tested the nitrites . . < 5. I've tested the phosphate . . = .25
What the heck is going on??!!??!?!?!?
???
30 is nothing, they love you, why wouldn't they, they have everything they want, and they like it so much they are settling down and establishing family roots. That is a good sign, and having hundreds isn't an infestation either, that is an small troop of hardworking critters, when they have nothing to eat, they will diminish in number. You should embrace your Malaysian trumpet snails, they clearly love what you have done for them, and will devote their lives serving you. Enjoy! :) Don't forget they are the only live bearing snail out there. No eggs.
You mean this is good?!
Fabby!
:D 8) :-*
now I can go to sleep without worrying :)
Thanks Babble!