Nerite Snail PH

[anitstuk]

G'day everyone. My family and I were considering getting a Nerite Snail for our tank but we realised that our PH might be too low. Dr Google says that they need a PH of 7 or higher but we only got 6.6. Is there a specific species of Nerite Snail that can survive in my water parameters?

[Cinnebuns]

This is true of all snails. The problem with PH below 7.0 is that it is acidic and therefore will eat at the shell of the snail. This will eventually erode the shell and cause their death.  I suggest raising your KH and subsequently PH using crushed coral.  Another parameter to watch is gh or general hardness. Snails need a sufficient level of calcium in the water to keep their shells nice. 

[anitstuk]

I have Harlequin Rasboras, Cherry Shrimp and one mystery snail in the tank, will adding crushed coral affect them in any way. What if the PH rises too quickly and the shrimp die because they can't adjust? Sorry but I've had too many shrimp deaths and I just want to be 100% sure when I do stuff

[FlyingFishKeeper]

Hi, at least from what I've read, harlequin rasboras are fairly tolerant of different pHs. The cherry shrimp and mystery snail would likely enjoy the raise in pH (something that I'm actually trying to do. My tap water went from 7.8 to 6.4 somehow lol) I can't really speak for how fast the pH will change, but it's not instantaneous, and you can change the rate that the pH rises by changing where in the tank you put the crushed coral. (From what I've heard it generally dissolves faster in the filter compared to anywhere else in the tank.) Hope this helps!

Edited August 29, 2022 by FlyingFishKeeper