Get rid of aquarium snails and green water without tearing down tank?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
I have a 26 gallon tank that is overrun with cone snails. We suck them out with every water change, but it's a losing battle. I've tried clown loaches to no avail. I think the snails are responsible for the green look to my water. Is that possible, and now can I remove them w/o tearing the entire tank down?
1 Answer
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 5th, 2017
The cone-shaped snails you are referring to are most likely Malaysian Trumpet Snails. A sustained population of Malaysian Trumpet Snails is supported by an abundant food source usually in the form of organic debris or sludge in the substrate. The green water algae can also be attributed to excess nutrients in your aquarium. If you haven't done so already, be in the practice of siphoning your substrate during every water change to remove trapped organic debris and prevent build up. While it maybe tempting to siphon your entire substrate bed, be sure to clean no more than 1/3 at a time to maintain a healthy population of beneficial bacteria that live in the substrate and make up a significant portion of your biological filter. Be sure to use a dechlorinator and a bacterial additive with each water change to ensure a healthy environment for your fish and biological filter. The population of Malaysian Trumpet Snails will diminish naturally over time as you reduce their food source. In addition to enhancing your maintenance regimen, consider the introduction of Assassin Snails for additional natural control. http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=1075+3106&pcatid=3106
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Thank you ABGEL ALVARDO, LVT for answering my question. Sorry to ask but I have another question, so are these snail eggs and will they become as large as my zebra nerite as I have about 5 other different fish in my tank. My tank is 5.5 gallons. As
You likely wouldn't have been able to see the eggs. It looks like it could be a trumpet snail given the shape. This species grows to be about an inch. Clip a piece of lettuce to the side of the tank overnight. In the morning, the snails should be all over it feasting. Remove your Nerite and dispose of the rest in the trash. You may need to do this several times.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Why does my water turn green after 2-3 weeks? No live plants and 1 artificial log in the tank!
The green you see is algae. These like nutrition-rich water and lots of light. So you are probably feeding your fish too much and they are not eating all the food. Also there may be too much day light reaching the tank. I suggest you cover your tank in such a way that most of the day light is removed. Fed your fish sparsely. That means, only feed what they can and will eat within one minute. Get some algae-eating fish like a small pleco. Also change about 1/3 to 1/2 of your tank water to remove some of the algae floating in the water.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our tank has turned cloudy and green.. What will help this.
Weekly to biweekly 25 % water change can keep the water healthy. Also, monitor the temperature and water chemistry and adjust as needed. You many consider wiping down the sides often to prevent algae from Growing on the glass. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My cichlid has been not acting normal and he he's turned a different color on one side and he has a green slime like tint in different spots of his body
Check the water temperature and chemistry. The slime could be algae or bacterial overgrowth. This occurs when there is inadequate filtration, overfeeding, too much light or if water is too warm. It cam also happen when there is a lot of plant debris. Perform a water change, rinse the filter media with tank water and adjust temperature and light if necessary. You can also separate the affected fish out to a hospital tank and treat him using a broad spectrum antibiotic and plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt). The antibiotic you can find in the aquarium section of the local pet or fish store. Erythromycin or tetracycline are good options. Follow label directions carefully. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of water into a cup of tank water and gently pour it into the tank. You can treat with both for 10-14 days. Return him to the main tank once symptoms resolve.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My fish tank got infested with pink algae and green algae and the fish are acting lethargic and dying.
Check the water chemistry using a home test kit or submit a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for an absence (0 ppm) of ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20ppm or less. Perform partial water changes to stabilize chemistry and/or to improve water quality. Rinse the filter media in tank water, not tap water, and replace it. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. To limit algae growth, maintain pristine water quality via filtration and regular water changes. If possible, turn up filter flow to keep water moving. If this stresses the fish though, do not do it. Do not overfeed and remove any uneaten food promptly. Limit lighting to 8 hours daily and closely monitor water temperature as well. All these can promote algae overgrowth.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a 10 gallon fish tank and I have about ten fish (plattys,mollys and cat fish not algae eating) and I have algae all over my rocks. How do I get it off?
Your tank may be overstocked which will contribute to excessive algae growth. Other causes include poor water quality, overfeeding, too much light and slow water current. Consider removing some fish to another tank or getting a larger tank. If you choose the latter, it will need to be properly cycled before you move fish. A general guideline is one inch of fish per gallon of water. Use the adult size of any fish you plan on keeping when estimating tank requirements. Put the lights on a timer. A photoperiod of 10-12 hours on and the remainder off should suffice. Increase filter flow if you can. Standing or slow moving water will promote algae growth. For now, you can use an algae scrubber to clean glass and tank furniture. Perform partial water changes and rinse filter media. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Use tank water, not tap water, to rinse filter media to preserve beneficial bacteria in the sponge.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My new fish tank is being occupied by some white cotton web like thing at the bottom.. the are found on the natural plants and food remainings in the tank.. please help .. how to get rid of it? I tried changing the water 3 times..
Thanks for reaching out. This problem is perplexing, but possibilities include fungal or bacterial overgrowths. A good cleaning might help to alleviate your problems. Continue to test water quality and correct problems. Sometimes the over-growth of anaerobic bacteria (those which grow in low or no oxygen conditions, at the bottom of the tank), can form strange formations of detritus. Submitting a sample to a lab might help determine an answer. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have an African Sideneck turtle, and here recently algae has been growing in his tank. Is this hurting him?
I would try to keep the algae to a minimum. Algae growth is caused by combination of too many nutritions (food left-overs) in the water, not enough current in the water and more than enough light. So you need to re-visit your husbandry to make sure everything is 100% correct. If the water current and lighting are correct then chances are you are over-feeding him. If you can reduce the left-overs you'll probably effectively remove the source of the algae growth. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I want to get an apple snail or a mystery snail. I have an indoor storage container pond where I will be putting one or two goldfish in. It doesn't have a top, so can the snails crawl out? If they can, how can I avoid it? Also someone told me to qua
You will need a cover or tank hood to prevent any snails from crawling up and out of the tank. Snails will lay eggs just above the water line, so you'll need to leave room for that as well. Quarantine, or keep them separate from the main tank, for at least two weeks in another tank. This is done to prevent the spread of bacterial infection or parasites.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have a few problems in my cichlids tank currently. 1. There are these tiny white gnat like flying bugs coming out of the water? 2. Brown algae on the glass won’t go away! But I have snails and an eel so I don’t know what to use that won’t kill the
Those could be copepods. They are typically harmless and difficult to completely eradicate. On the good side, they are a sign of a healthy tank and are useful in eating decaying matter in the aquarium. The brown algae can be due to insufficient lighting or lighting periods. You can wipe down the glass and plants, perform a partial water change and increase lighting. It can take weeks to month to resolve. Use only aged or conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent stress or shock. Confirm stable water chemistry and quality. Make sure the water temperature is correct as well. Too warm or too cold can cause stress. Look the Jack Dempsey over for signs of injury or infection. Ich, bacterial infection or fungal infection can cause the fish too twitch or shiver. Plain aquarium salt (NOT table salt or Epsom salt) dissolved at 1 tablespoon per 5 gallons of water is a great general tonic that can reduce stress, improve gill function, treat minor infection and aid in any recover
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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