Snails

[SSalty]

I seem to be having problems with my snails, in the past week I had two Conch's die and yesterday I bought 2 astrea's and 2 Margarita's. 1 astrea and 1 margarita made their way to the top of the tank glass and are almost completely out of the water (is this normal?). I checked my water a day ago and everything was fine. The only problem was my Nitrates were at around 15-20 ppm.

Thanks.

[bobby]

Have you checked copper? Is the tank new or used? If your water is fine the only thing I can think of is copper but I'm sure there are more out there. Was it ever set up as freshwater or had any ick medacine in it? Are you using RO water if your using water from the sink it could have heavy metals in it which will harm your inverts.

[Bifferwine]

I don't know about the conchs, but it is normal for astrea and margaritas to head out of the water since they are considered tidal species... Just a warning, your margaritas might not last long at all since they are normally found off the coast of northern California and are not made to handle the warmer temperatures of reef tanks. Most margaritas end up slowly cooking to death in reef tanks and die pretty quickly, I'd avoid that type of snail in the future for that reason, but you shouldn't have a problem with astreas, they are, in my opinion, one of the best types of snail you can have in your tank. High nitrates could kill them, but I highly doubt your levels are high enough to harm them.

[SSalty]

Originally Posted by bobby

Have you checked copper? Is the tank new or used? If your water is fine the only thing I can think of is copper but I'm sure there are more out there. Was it ever set up as freshwater or had any ick medacine in it? Are you using RO water if your using water from the sink it could have heavy metals in it which will harm your inverts.

No I haven't checked copper.

It is a brand new tank.

No ick medicine.

I am using RO water. ( I am waiting for my TDS meter, I might have to change my filters)

So the snails at the top of the tank is a bad sign?

My crabs and shrimp are doing fine.

[SSalty]

Where do I get a copper test kit?

If my copper is high, how do I fix this?

This thing about the copper has got me worried.

Also, in my ten gallon where I have my coral and another snail are doing great. The coral's are all full and bright with color and the snail has been living for 5 months, all using the same water as my big tank.

What is the best way to acclimate snails?

[NewbReefer]

if its brand new your prolly ok, my snails will sometimes come to the top of the tank and almost all the way outta the water. what is your salinity at? anything lower that 1.024 is not great on many inverts.

[HAWKS12thMAN]

I have a couple snails that are always at the top of my tank. Half in and half out of the water. I was always under the impression that there was a highier nutriant content up there.

[SSalty]

Ahh.... My salinity is at 1.21-1.22.....

Is that too low????

[NewbReefer]

that could be the problem. how long have you had the snails? at that lvl it wouldn't kill em right off but they may slowly die.

[HAWKS12thMAN]

whats ur temp?