Snails changing color check water parameters, duh!!

[Mmathis]

Currently my “pond” is still the 1200 gallon Intex pool. For a while I’ve noticed that some of the “rams horn-type” snails have been turning white ( the Trapdoors aren’t, though), so decided to GOOGLE that. Well, apparently snails are good bioindicators, as this can happen when that pH/GH/KH cycle gets messed up. I haven’t checked my water parameters in ages (and my test kits were all way expired, so got new stuff). All of my parameters were great….except my KH and GH — which were VERY low. In my past pond, I kept crushed oyster shells in the bog, because I normally run with a low KH. Sooooo….about to add the oyster shells to my Skippy (waiting on mesh bags from Amazon).

Apparently my pH has been fairly stable cause there are no problems with the fish or plants, so looks like I’m nipping it in the bud — thanks to some snails. Lesson learned to check water more often than once a year

 

[bagsmom]

I need to check this out, too. I noticed some gray snails.

 

[Mmathis]

I need to check this out, too. I noticed some gray snails.

Oddly, it was only the rams horn looking snails. None of the Japanese trapdoors have it.

 

[Lisak1]

They're like the parakeets in the mine shaft of the pond world! Good to know!