MTS...yes or no?

[Aquadork]

I apologize if this is covered elsewhere in this forum but I'm wondering what the current thought is on this subject.

All three of my aquariums have a little algae in them. I don't mind scrubbing glass during water changes, but cleaning the artificial plants in my two smaller aquariums is something I'd just rather not do every week.

While my 50g/planted has a sand substrate, I kind of like the idea of having these snails aerating it nightly so I don't have to do it manually.

I realize that adding Malaysian Trumpet Snails would require a fair amount of culling once they begin to reproduce and, according to wiki, they can be intermediate hosts to (human) parasitical liver flukes (um...eww). I would be interested in learning from those who have introduced them to their aquariums.

Is it worth it?

[MrsMolly]

We have a lot of algae in our 15-gallon and probably upwards of 60 trumpet snails. They really don't do that good a job of cleaning. It's probably easier to clean the plants yourself than deal with the resulting explosion (and they will explode) of snails.

[funkman262]

I personally welcome MTS and any other snail that won't eat my plants. I've never had major algae problems, but I feel that the snails help to create a more realistic and natural look to the tank. I've also always liked that they help to stir up the substrate.

[Lady Hobbs]

Just throw your plastic plants in a mild bleach solution now and then. Nothing to it. I would not buy the snails. All you have to do is run your fingers through the sand now and then. It's not like there is any work involved.

Sounds as you have diatoms. They are normal in new tanks and will go away on there own.

[Taurus]

Just throw your plastic plants in a mild bleach solution now and then. Nothing to it. Sounds as you have diatoms.

Good advice! You should make a sticky.

[ijankrom]

When first looked at the title of this thread I thought maybe you were questioning whether or not you had MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome) and then I was looking forward to a picture or pictures of many many tanks you may have.

Oh well! Sorry I don't know much on snails. Just found the title alluring.

[dbosman]

MTS = Mineralized Top Soil
MTS = Multiple Tank Syndrome
MTS = Malaysian Trumpet Snails

Or, just go here:
http://www.acronymfinder.com/MTS.html

[SueD]

Try a nerite snail in each tank. You need both sexes to breed but they won't breed in fresh water. You may have eggs left around here and there (I have one that does and two that do not but I'm not bothered by them). They are great at keeping algae down on all surfaces.

[aprildawn]

I agree about the nerite snails. I had the same thoughts as you about the MTS & I am over run with them now.

[Sea Monkey]

I just got two nerite zebra snails and put them in my brackish tank with my fiddler crabs and baby mollies. They are excellent at cleaning the glass and everything else in the tank. :) Two days ago they started laying lots of eggs. Will the eggs hatch in brackish water? (1.005 - 1.006 specific gravity)

Try a nerite snail in each tank. You need both sexes to breed but they won't breed in fresh water. You may have eggs left around here and there (I have one that does and two that do not but I'm not bothered by them). They are great at keeping algae down on all surfaces.