looking to start a tank with just snails and maybe a betta

[radiant sea snail]

Hi, I'm brand new here. This is my first post.

I currently have a house full of 13 animals (4 house rabbits, 7 guinea pigs, and 2 cockatiels) and am looking to create a somewhat easy to mid maintenance aquarium set up.

My husband and I already have a 10 gallon and we are content to use just that. I may be off my rocker compared to the hardcore aquarium enthusiasts here, but we're really only wanting to keep some mystery snails. And maybe perhaps 1 betta.

I would like to get 2 mystery snails but I'm concerned about the breeding and possible overpopulation.

Since we are only looking to keep a couple of (small) creatures, we don't want to go all out with large state of the art tank supplies. We'll buy what's necessary. Perhaps this will be the gateway into future big aquariums. But for now we wish to keep it somewhat simple.

That said, how would 1 male betta and 1-2 snails fare out in a 10 gallon aquarium? What are the most necessary supplies for them to thrive?

[zackish]

That would work just fine. However, for the snails you may want to think about some real live plants. Go with some low light level plants so you won't have to upgrade your lighting. Anubias, anachris and java fern are good started plants.
If you go with live plants you may want to think about a shrimp or something, they keep the tank very clean too.
Although for this setup a filter is not needed you may want to think about a very small filter. For you a Hang-on-back filter (HOB) would be more than sufficient as you will have a very little amount of waste. You will definitely need a heater too but just a small 50 watt one or so.

As far as the snails, even if you only get one they are going to reproduce fairly fast so you kind of have no choice as to how high your snail population will get. You will just have to throw them out or give them to a store or do whatever you please with them.

Other than that stuff you will just need some food and you will need to do regular weekly or bi-weekly water changes.

Have you read any of the articles about cycling your tank yet? I would recommend reading them and doing a fishless cycle. This will take several weeks and will require you to buy a master test kit but it will be well worth it in the end for the health of your fish.
I know you didnt ask for a price breakdown but here is an estimate:
Small HOB filter: $15.00
Small 50 watt heater: $10
some food: $5.00
master test kit: $25
That is a guess within a few dollars of itself. That is also assuming you already have a tank and hood with light.
Because it's a betta you might get away with not having to cycle your tank, just do a regular weekly water change and the fish should be fine.
I think I covered almost everything, if you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

[discus35]

that would be fine.

My 6yr old son has a 20g with a Betta and about 300 snails and live plants and all are doing great ..
all there is for equipment is a hang on back filter a heater and a floresent light and of course gravel.
the snails help keep the algae down and the plants help to oxygenate the water .
At one point i will be turning of the filter as the plants will filter the water for me and the snails will eat any uneated food from the Betta
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
the tank has been running for about 6 months

[radiant sea snail]

Thanks for the price breakdown zackish. That was very helpful. I'm not sure about the betta yet. I'm really gunning for the snails. My husband and I have joked for a couple of years about having a tank of snails. I'm just mad about them, simply mad.

If snails are more active in darkness, is the light a necessity? Just curious. I've got probably 5 internet tabs open as we speak, doing reading about tanks and snails and the like.

Would the standard colorful gravel be all right for the snails?

I had one several years ago. He lived in a bowl with my betta. That snail probably lived for over a year and the betta lived to be over 3. I haven't had a fish since!

[tropfish]

welcome to the forum!

i also have cockatiels (3 of them)

you'll learn alot here and i hope you stick around. :22:

[radiant sea snail]

welcome to the forum!

i also have cockatiels (3 of them)

you'll learn alot here and i hope you stick around. :22:

Thanks so much! I realize this is a great place to learn.

I have a 12 yr old male tiel and then I adopted a 4-6 yr old female tiel in June.
I'm done adopting the furry/feathery variety and looking to move into the realm of the slimy/scaly variety.

[zackish]

Snails are very innactive period....it's a snail....
You will need the lights for the plants because the plants need to grow and the snails will eat the dead leaves and such.
I am not to keen on snails as my 2 ivory snails died within the first week I got them for some reason.

As far as gravel, a lot of people like darker gravel and that is what I have in my tank. You can really get any color gravel you want.

[tropfish]

fish are just as fun lol

i have an almost 6, a 3, and a 4 year old ( all females). thumbs2: along with 4 budgies (2 female 2 male).
good luck with the fish:22:

[radiant sea snail]

Snails are very innactive period....it's a snail....

I've read that apple snails become more active and are more inclined to breed when the water is warmer. As well as it does take 2 of them to breed.

As far as gravel, a lot of people like darker gravel and that is what I have in my tank. You can really get any color gravel you want.

I just mean is the texture OK? I didn't know the formal name for the colorful gravel.

[radiant sea snail]

fish are just as fun lol

I like fish, really I do. I tend to get more excited about shrimp, crabbies (it's just what we call them), snails, jellies, seahorses, sea stars, and other invertebrates.

I love fancy goldfish and bettas; but I do prefer saltwater fish over freshwater fish in terms of looks.

I almost went to school to become a marine biologist. Instead I'm going back to become an accountant. It's more lucrative. And that way I can hopefully fund some fun ocean trips. As well as a future saltwater aquarium. :ezpi_wink1:

[zackish]

I've read that apple snails become more active and are more inclined to breed when the water is warmer. As well as it does take 2 of them to breed.



I just mean is the texture OK? I didn't know the formal name for the colorful gravel.

Either way, any gravel will do. The colored gravel is like small pebbles. I have a planted tank so I have a dirt-like substrate.

[tropfish]

I almost went to school to become a marine biologist. Instead I'm going back to become an accountant. It's more lucrative. And that way I can hopefully fund some fun ocean trips. As well as a future saltwater aquarium. :ezpi_wink1:

always something to look forward to in this hobby thats for sure. :ezpi_wink1:

[MeganL3985]

Just wanted to say Hi & Welcome to the forum! Its a great place and very informative, so I hope ya stick around!! :) I have a betta and he is so cool. I could sit and watch him for hours without getting bored (haven't tried but i'm sure I could lol). I dont have any snails, but I love to look at them! :) Good luck with the set up!

[troy]

Some snails are more active then others. Mine likes moving around a lot. What's cool is when you turn the light on and your has all its antenna things out. They are more active with lower light.

[Zerileous]

I almost went to school to become a marine biologist. Instead I'm going back to become an accountant. It's more lucrative. And that way I can hopefully fund some fun ocean trips. As well as a future saltwater aquarium. :ezpi_wink1:

It must be that its 4 in the blessed am, but i read that as "Instead I'm going back to become an aquarist." haha

Have you considered cherry shrimp or crystal red shrimp? They are pretty cool looking little guys.

[salman]

that would be fine.

My 6yr old son has a 20g with a Betta and about 300 snails and live plants and all are doing great ..
all there is for equipment is a hang on back filter a heater and a floresent light and of course gravel.
the snails help keep the algae down and the plants help to oxygenate the water .
At one point i will be turning of the filter as the plants will filter the water for me and the snails will eat any uneated food from the Betta
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]
the tank has been running for about 6 months

300 snails?? with two 0's??? You must have typed an extra 0, why would someone have 300 snails???

[Zerileous]

lol Salman, you think 300 is a lot check out all of these Malaysian Trumpets (MTS) [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[radiant sea snail]

It must be that its 4 in the blessed am, but i read that as "Instead I'm going back to become an aquarist." haha

Have you considered cherry shrimp or crystal red shrimp? They are pretty cool looking little guys.


I don't think that job would pay too well!

And no, I'll have to look them up. Maybe shrimp are in my future... well, you know, beyond a platter of shrimp scampi...

[Zerileous]

mmm your making me hungry for second supper. oh to envy the hobbits

[radiant sea snail]

mmm your making me hungry for second supper. oh to envy the hobbits

Gah, tell me about it!!

Ok, I have spent hours reading about all this stuff over the last few days. I do have a question.

If I get a hob filter, how will it fit in conjunction with the aquarium hood/lid? Or do they go hand in hand together?

thanks!