Snails

[Airic]

Here you go. Only reason I know what they are is because we disected them back in high school biology.

 

[oldmarine]

I read at another website that the snail per gallon ratio is typically 10 snails for every 100 gallons.

Happy ponding,

 

[retiredusaf]

Okay, I ordered the Trapdoor Snails because I understand they are Algae eaters that do not eat plants and the winters will not kill them off. Is there any process that I need to follow to add them to the pond unpon arrival or can I just toss them in?

 

[oldmarine]

You need to acclimate them just like fish. When I received my trap door snails I took a five gallon bucket and filled it half full with the pond water. Then I placed the bag of snails into the bucket of water leaving them in the bag to acclimate for about 30 minutes. After 30 minutes I opened the bag and picked the snails out of the water they came in and then drop them into the bucket of water. I did that for more of a rinse just in case there is something in the water they were shipped in. Then I do the same from the bucket to the pond. I don't pure that water back into the pond, I water the plants in the gardens with it. So far, doing it that way I have never transferred anything that might infect my pond or fish.

Happy ponding,

 

[stroppy]

Here you go. Only reason I know what they are is because we disected them back in high school biology.

there kinda cute :0)

 

[Airic]

They are cute and my girls love to catch them. They start out only about an inch long but can get to about 9 inches. I beleive they are 100% aquatic as they have external lungs behind there neck on each side that sort of look like a group of feathers.

 

[Waterbug]

Snails will never remove all the string algae in a pond. They of course eat some but string algae will out grow that. Koi will sometimes eat string algae but it can depend on the species of string algae.

 

[retiredusaf]

Thanks. This is my first summer with my pond. My water is perfect during my weekly tests but of course algae is growing on the rocks. Looks like fuzz. Haven't had any noticeable string algae or algae on top of water. The Koi are feeding on the algae and have one little Plecostmus and will be putting 24 Trap Door Snails in when they arrive this coming week. I really hope I can just keep the algae from just getting any worse than it is right now but the temperatures are just now 78-80 and soon will be in the 90's and 100's here in TX. Haven't had to use chemicals yet but have some just in case.

 

[PS3]

sounds good then i might buy a few trap door snails do they bury them selfs
in the winter? and also we had a bad winter here on long island
but my pond never froze over because i have a deicer.
i really wont buy them if they will die and i know detorit gets a lot colder
then ny

 

[mouseams]

In North Jersey here and this was our first winter with fish and snails. I have seen two snails so far out of the dozen we purchased last year. We only used a bubble stone and the pond had an opening all winter. Snails and nearly all of last year's offspring survived. This was a very bad winter here and I am pleased at our results. Also close to half our pond is above ground. Good luck with the snails.

 

[PS3]

From what i have read that snails eat what cause the green water algae is this true

 

[undrtkr_00]

Trap door snails will only eat algae, so you don't have to worry about them eating your plants. You can order them online at several different websites. www.tricker.com is one of them,

Happy ponding,

That's a good link. They have lots of live critters available. Anyone here tried freshwater clams/mussels in their pond? I'm intrigued at the thought, and they aren't too expensive.

 

[koikeepr]

i don't care for mollusks of any kind in the pond, as if they die it takes a long time to figure that out and they just pollute the water then.

 

[PS3]

true koikeeper plus when i vac my pond i dont wanna suck any up lol

 

[y2kdejesus]

Thanks for the website oldmarine. I will sure get some when my pond is finished.