Tank Problems

[SeanB]

Okay so I have had my axie in my holding tank for a month now.
I've been cycleing him new home and it's been done for some time.
I have a filter in it that runs 24/7

today I came home from work and wanted to put him in.
My tank hasn't have food in it and nothing has been put in it.
I went to scope out the tank and I see a snail in it.......
I have no clue how it got there. No way that thing got in there.
I havnt claned the tank cuase nothing have been living in it.
I'm cleaning the tank now.
There is waste at the bottom. I don't think a few little snails can make that waste......
I have not clu what is wrong
maybe it's the fact I haven't claned it.
I'm a little freaked out and MADD.
Plz leave me some post. I need some good or bad news.
I don't want my axie getting sick with these little creepers coming in and making a home in my tank.........

 

[Jennewt]

Noooooooooooo... Cleaning the tank out is not the right reaction. I'm sorry if I'm sounding harsh here, but you just took a tank that was probably ready for the axolotl, and set it back to square-one. Snails are not bad, they are good. See:
Caudata Culture Articles - Aquarium Invaders: Algae, Snails, Worms and Other Critters
Sooner or later you HAVE to get other critters living in the tank. The critters that contribute to a healthy tank ecosystem include good bacteria, protozoa, and a variety of other invertebrates, sometimes including snails. Think "ecosystem", not "ultra clean".

 

[SeanB]

Rats it's too late. Well looks like a few months for it to get to were it needs to be.
Now when I have them in there, how do i clean my tank? I need to get his waste out and ppl tell that a once a week is needed. Should I keep half the water and put half in? Try and keep the snails in the tank??