I also suppose this could be a possibility. The sand may be so
compacted that they cannot burrow into it. But in the tank I have with
them thriving they stay in the gravel during the day, but at night
climb the sides of the glass like crazy - that's how I'm able to
collect so many each mony. I am going to add another 80lb of Schultz
Clay Soil Conditioner and that should be light enough for them to
burrow in, correct? So if that is the problem that will be solved. It
was something I was going to do anyway, and if it does fix the problem
I will post.

Right now, so many ideas have been thrown around it's hard to figure
out what exactly the problem is. Some people think it's the kuhli
loaches. Some people think that my pH to kH ratio is off for some
strange reason (it is according to the charts). I did a 90% water
change yesterday and cleaned the filter as I had to move the fish tank
to a different location, so I'll test the water tomorrow and see if it
is any different from yesterday's measurements. I'll post the
measurements here if anyone thinks it may be helpful.


I've been following this thread and have read every post.

All that has been said before about snail as food is right on.

Now, what I know from reading this newsgroup and personal experience
is: The Malaysian Trumpet Snail is a burrower. It burrows in our
substrates to find shelter and tidbits to munch. It also somehow
procreates in that same substrate.
Thus the MTS is the earthworm of it's aquatic world.

Thus, if MTS don't have a burrow into friendly to them substrate, will
they survive?

Plecosaur/Allen, Onyx Sand by Seachem doesn't seem to me to be an MTS
home of choice. Rest assured I bought Seachem black Onyx sand, tested
same and used a little. I found my culture of MTS at a LFS that
didn't have a clue what they were and were appalled that "those"
snails were climbing the walls of their newly set aquaria with half
inch pebble gravel.

Hoping I haven't overstayed my MTS welcome this is what I know from
many hours of research and personal experience.

MTS procreate in a substrate that supports their life habitat ...
substrate burrowers. They aerate submerged soils / substrates and love
doing it. All they ask is for an organically active substrate.

In my book: What more could you ask for? A snail that doesn't eat
anything and only asks to burrow into and aerate and clean the aquatic
plants substrate and procreates like crazy until it (the MTS colony)
finds it's right balance.

If any want to more about Malaysian Trumpet Snails and their
contribution to planted aquaria I strongly suggest you ask Chuck Gadd.

My bottom line: If the substrate supports MTS. MTS will thrive.

Hope I helped.

Sharon