On Sat, 6 May 2006 23:17:50 -0400, "Bill Stock"
wrote:


"Altum" wrote in message
.net...
Bill Stock wrote:
I've got two snails on the bottom of the tank that lost most of the
colour in their shells. I don't know if they were sucked out of their
shells by someone or if they died from a lack of minerals? Is the loss of
colour an indication of a mineral problem or would they lose their colour
after dying anyway? I suppose the Excel might have done them in too, but
the other smaller snails seem OK. (So far).

Excel kills snails??? Is that why I have such problems with mystery
snails taking strolls out of the tank? My ramshorns seem fine but that
would explain a lot.

My ramshorn snails get light stripes on their shells if they run low on
minerals.

I thought I remembered a post by Elaine talking about Snails and Excel, but
a search did not find it. But I did see a couple of posts by Richard stating
that it would NOT harm Snails. So I guess I'll have to drag out the KH/GH
test kits tomorrow. Failing that, I'll form a line up and ask the remaining
Snails to identify the guilty party. Likely a Cherry Barb, as the SAEs have
never shown much interest in the non-veg food.

Excel killing snails. That's a new one on me, and wouldn't it be nice.
Maybe Elaine's messages on this are lurking in the archives, just
waiting for an adept searcher. Meanwhile, Missus Gardener has a step
stool in front of the big planted tank and she does an Excel-lent job
of crushing every snail she finds. Especially those tiny pond snails
that ride in on new plants. My plant damage has decreased dramatically
in recent weeks, but that may simply be a result of Missus Gardener's
diligence.

-- Mister Gardener
-- Pull the WEED to email me