New 12 Gallon Aquapod -- Why are my snails dying?

[applesiders]

Hello,

I am new to this forum. I have just established my first saltwater aquarium in a 12 gallon Aquapod. I have live sand and 8 lbs of live rock in my tank and I let it cycle a bit. This past Saturday I added 6 astraea snails and 6 blue leg hermits. I noticed yesterday evening that some of the snails were not moving, and realized they were either dead or dying. I removed them from the tank. I don't know why they were dying. My salinity, amonia, nitrite, and nitrates were at the right balance ... I did notice a drop in my PH ... it was at 7.8, (I added a PH buffer to raise it) but everything else looked fine. The hermit crabs seem to be just fine. What would cause my snails to die off like that. I am now down to two out of the original 6. I'm new to this and would appreciate any input anyone has.

Thanks!

 

[KidNano]

I'm not extremely experienced, but I have snails die on me all the time. I still have two of my original 3 Turbos. However I go through margarita snails like you wouldn't believe. All my Astreas have done pretty well. I guess what I'm saying is I can't help you. Sorry, but.... you should expect to lose "some" life in your first SW tank.

:welcome to nanotank and good luck with your tank.

 

[applesiders]

Well, thanks for at least letting me know that it is normal to loose snails sometimes. Now I can breathe a little easier.

 

[blau]

My hermit crabs like to eat my snails at times. Maybe they are the culprits!

 

[Trogdor]

I remember hearing somewhere that Astraea snails can't right themselves if they get overturned. I don't know how accurate this is but something that I keep in mind if I see one tumble down the rocks.

 

[reefman23]

I remember hearing somewhere that Astraea snails can't right themselves if they get overturned. I don't know how accurate this is but something that I keep in mind if I see one tumble down the rocks.

This is true...

Just a couple snails and a couple of hermits is all that is really needed in a nano tank. Some fish stores suggest a one-per-gallon rule of thumb is can lead to snails and hermits that can die from starvation and maybe even aggression.

Jesse

 

[KidNano]

I remember hearing somewhere that Astraea snails can't right themselves if they get overturned. I don't know how accurate this is but something that I keep in mind if I see one tumble down the rocks.

Oh yeah I forgot about that.... I've lost quite a few to this clumsiness problem.

 

[Trogdor]

6 Hermits in a 12g tank is far more than you would ever want. Chances are that they are killing the snails for their shells. Always remember to pick up a few extra shells per hermit that you have in a tank.

 

[NanoReefaholic]

Ditch the hermits, really they have no place in a nano other than eye candy. Snails will out perform and are safer than hermits any day. Also, don't rely on just one type of snail. Each has their speciality and a mix will keep the whole tank clean.

Any store that says you need so may of any CuC ignore them. Each tank is different and their needs are unique. I have seen tanks maintained with nothing more than the hitchhiker CuC (limpet, chiton, stomatella, collonista, etc). Buy for your 'issue' and only buy for how much you need.

 

[gypsyb]

I'm just getting my 16 gal. situated and have 2 snails (now dead.. prob starved to death) and 2 hermit crabs. I'm sure the dead snails will help cycle the tank so I'm not worried.
If there's no food for the snails, of course they won't make it. Oh well.
The crabs have never been spoted next to the snails. I'm still going through the cycle process with live rock (buying new pieces each payday), live sand and instant ocean...

 

[NanoReefaholic]

You shouldn't be buying any livestock, including clean up crew, while the tank is cycling. Chances are that the snails were hunted while the lights were out or at very least eaten then. Hermits are opportunistic hunters and a snail is easy pry, especially one that is either dead or dying.

If you are unable to purchase the rock all at once you will be extending the time it takes until your tank stabilizes. Sometimes the all at once approach isn't possible but keep in mind that the tank will be subject to the spikes and most of the pods may not make it but eventually they should repopulate.

 

[applesiders]

Thanks to everyone for your responses! Your input is very helpful. I have discovered that my snails do fall over and then I have to turn them rightside up. And being that hermit crabs have quite the appetite, I think they fell prey to them. Oh well, I'm learning what works and what doesn't work.

 

[KidNano]

Oh well, I'm learning what works and what doesn't work.

That's all you can do. it's a very long process with so much to learn.