Killing Snails. newbie needs help

[zylumn]

Why can't I keep snails alive? and if I can' keep snails alive then I sure can't put anything else in!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

20 gal SW 18 gal sump with 5 gal refugium. 6 lbs Vanautu Live Rock, 8 lbs tonga branch Live rock, 13 lbs Fugi Premium Live rock, 9 lbs Base LR, 10 lbs Aragonite Rubble, 10 lbs Macro Mud, 2.5 " DSB. 28x Circulation. Nutrafin test kit
Cycle:
29 th day on Cycle. NH3/4 .1, NO2 .1, NO3 15, PH 8.1, KH 120, P04 .05, SAL 1.0215, temp 79.5-80.5
My readings have stayed consistent for over a week.

2 weeks ago I put in 4 astreas to help with algae and they died in 5 days.
8 days ago I put in a Black Molly and is doing excellent.
So I'm thinking bm is doing great maybe try more snails.
5 days ago tried 2 more astreas snails and both are dead.

Future Stocking:

Clean up crew: 4 astreas and 2 turbo snails
2 cleaner shrimp maybe 1 peppermint shrimp

Fish: 1st Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse
2nd Firefish
3rd Royal Gramma

(all in 2-3 week intervals with the Black Molly coming out when I put in the Royal Gramma)
Any Comments.



Thanks in advance.

[Paintbug]

how did you acclimate the snails?

[capncapo]

If your tank was new then most likely it is an acclimation problem.

If you bought the tank used or were using it for freshwater it could be that copper was used in it previously.

[zylumn]

Thanks for the replies:
Paintbug I used the drip method over a 3 hr period.
Capncapo I did purchase the tank brand new but used it briefly as a grow tank for jag cichlid fry.

[Paintbug]

sounds like an acclimation problem to me as well. i just typed this on another tread, but it fits here as well. the best way i have found for snails is to first float them for about 15-20mins in the tank. then put them in an empty dish with out water. yes with out water. let them dry off for about 10-15mins. then place the snail above the water line of the tank. this will allow the snail to acclimate itself to the water. Dr. Ron told me about this method, and i have not lost a snail due to acclimation since.

[zylumn]

Paintbug: Thank You I will try it that way with 2 astreas tomorrow. I hope it works. I will keep you posted.

[Kris S]

I won't deal with astreas anymore. I spent more time putting them upright than they spent grazing.

[zylumn]

Kris S: I havn't had the upright problem with the ones I've "HAD" . But what do you suggest for stocking for clean up crew?

[Kris S]

I have a margarita and two zebra striped turbos. (I prefer the striped over the Mexican turbo.) I have those in a 29 cube, and I'm going to have to start feeding nori if they continue working this well.

[Icefire]

NH3/4 .1, NO2 .1

You are still cycling! wait until those are 0

[zylumn]

Thanks Kris S I will make some calls around town to see if I can locate a margarita and 1 striped turbo this weekend. I will hold off on A fish for a month. My NO2 hit 0, but my NH3/4 is still at .1, and my nitrates went down to 8. I'll keep testing and waiting as I am sure enjoying the diverse life forms my LR gave me.