Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have freshwater Snails in my system
Can anyone identify them and are they harmful.?
The size of the largest is 13mm
Eagle.

I added them aswell....with not great results all clusted up in the retic'

I have them too, I think they hitched a ride with some of the BIL's catfish from his aquarium.

So far they have not caused any problem. The don't appear to eat plants and when I see them in the GB they stay in the wet part where the GB fills and all the fish poo is so I think they must live off algae and/or fish waste.

They are not a good thing Eagle. Can get into the pump and pipes and can multiply fast. Limit them if possible and be careful not to transfer them to other systems or anyone else as they like to hitch a lift on plants in the fish tank. I would have thought that the trout would clean them up pretty quick though.

Hi Faye
Do you have snails at BYAP shop.
Iv & I beleive the trout are eating them, at this stage they are not blocking the system not that I am aware of.
They may have come with the baby tears on the waterfall
Eagle

We did have some, but now we have trout

I have a different one which I think came from the creek with the gambusia,they do block up pipes and the redfin don't seem to be too fusssed about them although I think there numgers are dwindling.

I had lots of snails (probably different variety) early on in my system and I did have issues with them blocking the pump trap basket and even messing with my indexing valve a little. But, since I don't rely on distrobution grids to feed my grow beds, I haven't had major problems with the snails. They mostly seem to feed on dead organic matter in my system and I haven't seen any major damage to my plants from them so I haven't worried or fussed about them really. The fish eat them when they can get them.

However, I don't like to let my fish into the grow beds to eat the snails there as it is usually pretty detrimental to fish health to eat before not swimming.

Hi Eagle yabbies love to eat them and fantastic system you have mate have been following your progress for some time..

Hi Hazno
The amount of them has settled down I did give the GB's a big blast with my high pressure hose and have fond a number in the sump tank they seem to feed on the gum leaves and the trout might have started to enjoy there presents.They also cling to the tank at water level so I have scooped them out, at this stage are not causing a problem
Regards,
Eagle