Lethargic snails

[Bruce51]

For the last week and a half I noticed some of my snails haven't been moving around. I don't think there dead, they still hang on to the rock and glass.

My tank is about 5 months old,

ammonia is 0
cant test nitrite or nitrate, lost the comparison cards and buying new test kit today.

salinity 1.025
temp 78-79

I seem to remember that there is a trace element that if its low will cause this, but cant remember which one.

there's plenty for them to eat, brown and green hair algae, film algae on glass.

Did a 10 gallon water change last weekend (about 60 gallon total volume)

 

[kfisc]

While I can't make out what kind of snails you have, some begin to wither due very much to tank temps. They can be species from relatively cooler waters that simply can't cope with the equatorial temps. Also, check at night with a flashlight to see if they're more active.

You're right to want to get going with test kits, but a hunch is a species-specific issue.

 

[Sk8r]

Check your alkalinity: 8.3 is good.

 

[Bruce51]

so tested alkalinity

dkh of 5

no corals in tank, but do have coralline algae popping up on several rocks

red sea marine care test kit

 

[Sk8r]

That's too acid. Get dkh buffer (kent brand is good) and also check your magnesium: you need that to be at about 1350. Below 1200 on mg and your alk will sink. Track both weekly.

 

[Bruce51]

so i ordered test kits for No2/No3, mag, and alkalinity.

not going to dose anything until new kits get here. So am going to do a 25% (15 gallons) water change today

 

[Sk8r]

Water change will help.

 

[Bruce51]

Ok, so I finally got the new test kits

Temp 78 degrees
salinity 1.027 ( a tad high, am adjusting it down to 1.026)
alkalinity 5.5 dkh
Mag 1275
phosphate 0.05
nitrate 2ppm
nitrite 0.05
ammonia 0

and I have this ugly red crap all over my rocks and sand

 

[Anemone]

Your Alkalinity is way too low. It should be 7-10 (8-9 is optimal). You should raise it about 1 dKh a day.

Kevin

 

[kfisc]

Calcium needs to be tested/in balance as well. About 420, and some who keep clams and other "shell-builders" like it much higher, upwards of 450.