FaintingGoats Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Hello! I just got my first Mystery Snail and some Neterite Snails. I was wondering if anyone has any troubles with the snails getting out of the tank? I have a lid but because of the external filter canister's intake and outake tubes, it can't be fully on the tank. So there is a 2-3 inch gap where the snails could escape. I have put some burlap mesh that I had laying around the house over it for now but was wondering if anyone had any more permanent ideas 🙂 Thank you in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie B. Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 I need an answer to this as well! I have two mystery snails coming in this week and I have the same gaps. Right now my solution is kitchen plastic wrap... 😅 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Snails are awesome, and yes sadly they will go for walkabouts in the people desert and die from them unless you're lucky enough to find them before that happens. I haven't seen a perfect solution yet. But I have done exactly as you did by taping mesh material. You could also buy some plastic needle point sheets from a craft store (some are heavier than others) these are easily cut to size, and could be super glued to the lid and extra space left for around the hob/rim I would have tried that needlepoint plastic sheet trick if I still used an HOB for my snail tanks but I don't any longer. It was just something I thought of after the fact because I got the mesh for another project The sheets are usually only a couple of dollars and come in a bunch of colors 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaintingGoats Posted March 28, 2022 Author Share Posted March 28, 2022 Thank you for the advice! Definitely will be keeping them out of the people desert! I will check out the plastic needle point sheets! That seems better than the burlap mesh!! Thank you @xXInkedPhoenixX! Good luck with your new snails @Katie B.!!! I love mine!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 @FaintingGoats and @Katie B. those sheets can be easily cut to size and are also great for blocking vents small denizens get into, difusing light, making plant or moss walls and all sorts of other crazy stuff. It's pretty flexible. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaW Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 If you have a glass top, you can buy a plastic strip called "back strip" that slides onto the edge of the glass and you can cut it to shape around your equipment to close the gaps. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xXInkedPhoenixX Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 (edited) @AndreaW even when you have that sometimes there is still a gap in front of the HOB which I think is what they are referring to right now. I could be wrong. 🙃 Could also be a stock hood light, which when you pop out the cut out for it leaves a crazy big gap. Sometimes people just cut the strip in half or cut a piece off to fit the HOB, as you probably know it's not easy to cut smaller spaces like you have and once you've done it there's no going back! Edited March 28, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreaW Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 (edited) @xXInkedPhoenixX~ I have it cut pretty close to my HOB and Bladder snails could get out, but Mystery and Nerites snails wouldn't be able to. There is just enough room Edited March 28, 2022 by AndreaW 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ange Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 When I had nerites I had plastic gutter guard (which is an amazing multi-purpose material for aquariums btw) that was cut to fit over the gaps that they could fit through. It cost me about $5 for a roll and it's awesome for covering gaps. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaintingGoats Posted March 29, 2022 Author Share Posted March 29, 2022 @AndreaW - I think your solution would work for me! I already have one of those but just haven't installed it. I would just need to cut it to fit around my air stone tubes, heater cord and external filter canister intake and outtake pipes.....I think it could work! Thank you everyone for the multitude of ideas! Long live the snails!! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now