Nassarius Snail Eggs Question

[Beverly]

Looks like our nassarius snails have laid eggs in both our 7 and 2.5 gals. Unfortunately, I didn't realize this until I was half finished cleaning the inside glass in the 2.5 and began wondering what all those white bumps were. I finished the glass cleaning in the 2.5 but left the 7 alone. When I did clean the remaining glass in the 2.5, I did so lightly, but I still think I killed those eggs too

Today, I finished removal of the sandbed, LR, snails, etc. from the 7 gal to a just-new-yesterday 14 gal I've set up for the H. whitei horses we're receiving from Seanic tomorrow. Nothing remains in 7 except a dusting of sand, water, heater, lights and AquaClear Mini, and more nassarius snail eggs on the glass.

The 7 gal looks totally forlorn and barren except for those eggs that will hopefully develop into real snails. Before I knew about the snail eggs, I'd hoped to get some uncured rock later this week to restart the 7 into another nano reef. However, I'm now thinking the ammonia will kill the eggs, so it would be better to wait for the eggs to do what they're going to do. If they do become snails, I could remove them before adding the uncured rock. And even without anything in the tank, I would still very lightly feed it for the sake of the snail eggs.

Am I being too cautious by waiting to add the uncured rock, or should I add the rock anyway while the eggs are still there?

Any opinions are welcome. TIA.

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by Beverly

Am I being too cautious by waiting to add the uncured rock, or should I add the rock anyway while the eggs are still there?

Any opinions are welcome. TIA.

What??!? No opinions from this opinionated bunch of reefkeepers

[Quinn]

well i was going to respond earlier but i held off, thinking someone who actually knows a thing or two about them would answer. now watch, seven or eight people are going to post to dispute what i'm going to say.

i doubt the eggs will get very far either way. i am going to guess that raising snails takes a bit of effort, and that they won't grow into adults if you don't specifically attempt to make sure they do. my guess is that if they hatch at all, they die while they're still itty bitty. i'd continue on with your plans to add rock. i'm sure you'll have more snail eggs soon enough.

[Beverly]

Originally Posted by teevee

i doubt the eggs will get very far either way. i am going to guess that raising snails takes a bit of effort, and that they won't grow into adults if you don't specifically attempt to make sure they do. my guess is that if they hatch at all, they die while they're still itty bitty. i'd continue on with your plans to add rock. i'm sure you'll have more snail eggs soon enough.

teevee, thanks for your opinion.

Yeah, looks like the snails in the newly set up 14 gal seahorse tank are laying eggs there too, but not in the 42 hex. Hmm... wonder why? Probably a completely different set of animals in the 42 that might be discouraging propagation.

There might be someone locally interested in selling a bit of live rock to me for the 7 gal and maybe a little bit more for the 14. I'm waiting for a call. Depending on size and shape, I may buy this cured rock and restart the 7 gal into a reef again.

Cheers!