Bladder Snails, diatoms/algae, and weird clumps in the sand?

[the1banana]

The discussion seems to differ on this, or searches have come up empty for me, so I was hoping to get a definitive answer to this if possible.

The first is on the topic of snails. Even with a tank wipedown and a plant quarantining session, I'm still having snail hitchhikers lingering around. I had success in culling them previously by just crushing them and removing them as soon as I saw them (which does, admittedly, make me a bit sad, I think snails are cute). Doing a bit more research (part of it referencing previous posts on caudata.org, actually), some people indicated that bladder snails are fine to have in an axolotl tank, and can in fact be beneficial, as they act as a cleanup crew that eats up brown algae/diatoms and green algae all around the tank. Some say they're good for a little snack if an axolotl is peckish and better emulates their actual diet in the wild, but others say that they're like gravel substrates: they can impact an axolotl digestive system, or cut up their stomachs when consumed.
Either way, as I was about to get to today's tank cleaning and water change, I'm noticing that they were starting to reproduce quickly, and I'm seeing eggs laid on the surface of the glass. Again, contrasting information here: some people say that they'll overrun the tank and the snails should be removed/killed on sight, while others say there will be a big boom, then a decline or even gradual elimination of the snails entirely.

So the first question is this: How should snail presence in an axolotl tank be handled? Should I be seeking to exterminate them fully? Should I let them be? Or something in between? In whatever case, how should I go about it?

The second is on the topic of brown algae / green algae. I think after doing some research, it definitively indicates that algae are not harmful and actually potentially helpful, it's just kind of ugly and unsightly for the tank, and that regular water changes should mitigate or control the issue (please correct me if anything I just said is incorrect). However, I'm starting to see these weird clumps form daily in the sand, which I believe might be the spread of brown algae, but I'm hoping it's not something sinister. Regardless, it's horrifically ugly and increasingly difficult to get rid of. On top of that, I literally cannot find any images looking similar to whatever this is. So far, I don't think it's negatively impacting my axolotl, Puck is looking healthier than ever, and is still happily eating a big nightcrawler once every two days like usual, but maybe if it is something hazardous, it's a gradual thing and I'll need to act quickly.

Is this something to be concerned about, or is it an aesthetic issue that should just be cleaned up and replaced with new sand whenever I can?

Thank you for your time and patience.

 

[axolotl nerd]

The discussion seems to differ on this, or searches have come up empty for me, so I was hoping to get a definitive answer to this if possible.

The first is on the topic of snails. Even with a tank wipedown and a plant quarantining session, I'm still having snail hitchhikers lingering around. I had success in culling them previously by just crushing them and removing them as soon as I saw them (which does, admittedly, make me a bit sad, I think snails are cute). Doing a bit more research (part of it referencing previous posts on caudata.org, actually), some people indicated that bladder snails are fine to have in an axolotl tank, and can in fact be beneficial, as they act as a cleanup crew that eats up brown algae/diatoms and green algae all around the tank. Some say they're good for a little snack if an axolotl is peckish and better emulates their actual diet in the wild, but others say that they're like gravel substrates: they can impact an axolotl digestive system, or cut up their stomachs when consumed.
Either way, as I was about to get to today's tank cleaning and water change, I'm noticing that they were starting to reproduce quickly, and I'm seeing eggs laid on the surface of the glass. Again, contrasting information here: some people say that they'll overrun the tank and the snails should be removed/killed on sight, while others say there will be a big boom, then a decline or even gradual elimination of the snails entirely.

So the first question is this: How should snail presence in an axolotl tank be handled? Should I be seeking to exterminate them fully? Should I let them be? Or something in between? In whatever case, how should I go about it?

The second is on the topic of brown algae / green algae. I think after doing some research, it definitively indicates that algae are not harmful and actually potentially helpful, it's just kind of ugly and unsightly for the tank, and that regular water changes should mitigate or control the issue (please correct me if anything I just said is incorrect). However, I'm starting to see these weird clumps form daily in the sand, which I believe might be the spread of brown algae, but I'm hoping it's not something sinister. Regardless, it's horrifically ugly and increasingly difficult to get rid of. On top of that, I literally cannot find any images looking similar to whatever this is. So far, I don't think it's negatively impacting my axolotl, Puck is looking healthier than ever, and is still happily eating a big nightcrawler once every two days like usual, but maybe if it is something hazardous, it's a gradual thing and I'll need to act quickly

i have bladder snails in my axolotl tank, and i find them to be helpful. they will eat some of the algae and clean the glass when i don't have time to, and my axolotl has never tried to eat them (or even notice their presence.) that said, i've not done too much research on them, so they could possibly be dangerous to the axolotl's organs if ingested, but i think that they're so small it hardly matters. i find them useful, but others think they're pests. it depends on the person i suppose.

secondly, i have been having what i think is the same issue. i keep finding brownish clumps on the bottom of her tank, along with some strange worm-like creatures (possbly detrius, but the jury is still out.) if you look at my most recent thread you can read about it. i'm also having difficulty getting rid of it, but i ended up removing all tank decor and scrubbing it down with a toothbrush and hot water, then scraping the bottom and sides of the tank + a water change. threre's significantly less, but i still haven't gotten it all.
best of luck, i'm also very curious

 

[axolotl nerd]

The discussion seems to differ on this, or searches have come up empty for me, so I was hoping to get a definitive answer to this if possible.

The first is on the topic of snails. Even with a tank wipedown and a plant quarantining session, I'm still having snail hitchhikers lingering around. I had success in culling them previously by just crushing them and removing them as soon as I saw them (which does, admittedly, make me a bit sad, I think snails are cute). Doing a bit more research (part of it referencing previous posts on caudata.org, actually), some people indicated that bladder snails are fine to have in an axolotl tank, and can in fact be beneficial, as they act as a cleanup crew that eats up brown algae/diatoms and green algae all around the tank. Some say they're good for a little snack if an axolotl is peckish and better emulates their actual diet in the wild, but others say that they're like gravel substrates: they can impact an axolotl digestive system, or cut up their stomachs when consumed.
Either way, as I was about to get to today's tank cleaning and water change, I'm noticing that they were starting to reproduce quickly, and I'm seeing eggs laid on the surface of the glass. Again, contrasting information here: some people say that they'll overrun the tank and the snails should be removed/killed on sight, while others say there will be a big boom, then a decline or even gradual elimination of the snails entirely.

So the first question is this: How should snail presence in an axolotl tank be handled? Should I be seeking to exterminate them fully? Should I let them be? Or something in between? In whatever case, how should I go about it?

The second is on the topic of brown algae / green algae. I think after doing some research, it definitively indicates that algae are not harmful and actually potentially helpful, it's just kind of ugly and unsightly for the tank, and that regular water changes should mitigate or control the issue (please correct me if anything I just said is incorrect). However, I'm starting to see these weird clumps form daily in the sand, which I believe might be the spread of brown algae, but I'm hoping it's not something sinister. Regardless, it's horrifically ugly and increasingly difficult to get rid of. On top of that, I literally cannot find any images looking similar to whatever this is. So far, I don't think it's negatively impacting my axolotl, Puck is looking healthier than ever, and is still happily eating a big nightcrawler once every two days like usual, but maybe if it is something hazardous, it's a gradual thing and I'll need to act quickly.

Is this something to be concerned about, or is it an aesthetic issue that should just be cleaned up and replaced with new sand whenever I can?

Thank you for your time and patience.

forgot this bit-

i know that adding pothos to your tank can be hugely useful in reducing algae. its a terrestrial plant, so only the roots can be in the water, but it is an excellent cleaner. it's also very easy to grow!

 

[the1banana]

i have bladder snails in my axolotl tank, and i find them to be helpful. they will eat some of the algae and clean the glass when i don't have time to, and my axolotl has never tried to eat them (or even notice their presence.) that said, i've not done too much research on them, so they could possibly be dangerous to the axolotl's organs if ingested, but i think that they're so small it hardly matters. i find them useful, but others think they're pests. it depends on the person i suppose.

secondly, i have been having what i think is the same issue. i keep finding brownish clumps on the bottom of her tank, along with some strange worm-like creatures (possbly detrius, but the jury is still out.) if you look at my most recent thread you can read about it. i'm also having difficulty getting rid of it, but i ended up removing all tank decor and scrubbing it down with a toothbrush and hot water, then scraping the bottom and sides of the tank + a water change. threre's significantly less, but i still haven't gotten it all.
best of luck, i'm also very curious

Noted, good to know I'm not the only one dealing with this. I'll look into pothos, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[axolotl nerd]

Noted, good to know I'm not the only one dealing with this. I'll look into pothos, thanks for the suggestion!

i finally got an answer! @wolfen helped me out and let me know it's something called mulm, which is a buildup of gross stuff your filter is too dirty to clean! i suggest cleaning out your filter (please look up a tutorial on how to, don't wanna accidentally ruin your cycle) and checking to see if things have cleared up within a few days!

 

[the1banana]

i finally got an answer! @wolfen helped me out and let me know it's something called mulm, which is a buildup of gross stuff your filter is too dirty to clean! i suggest cleaning out your filter (please look up a tutorial on how to, don't wanna accidentally ruin your cycle) and checking to see if things have cleared up within a few days!

Ah, gotcha. A cursory search seems to indicate mulm isn't harmful, but it sounds like that's not the case?