Dead Snail Problem Revisited

[Beverly]

We have had a problem with something (or somethings) killing snails in our 120g. A week or so ago, we removed about a third of the rock we suspected contained the snail killers, bathed it for two hours in 3 parts kalk/RO and two parts tank water, then placed it in a 20g with normal SW. Have kept two dead snails in the 120g and have closely monitored if these snails were disturbed in any way.

We have placed one rock at a time from the 20g into the 120g to see if more snails were killed or if the two dead snails have been disturbed. So far, we have found two rocks with bad guys in them, even after the kalk/ro and tankwater bath , and have segregated them in a 10g. Our house is in total disarray with tanks all over, and with the 120g half torn down. I'm so anal, that this mess is getting on my nerves

Anyway, we know for sure that these two rocks are harbouring bad guys, though we do not know exactly what kind they are. I am at the point of wanting to get rid of the bad guys at any expense, but cannot find the holes where they live Am thinking of killing the two rocks, recuring them, then eventually putting them back into the 120g. I have three ideas for killing the rock and the predatory inhabitants:

1. Boiling the rock for 20 minutes.
2. Baking the rock at 200F for an hour.
3. Putting the rock in RO water for a day or so.

Am asking for advice as to which method would be most effective, least messy, as well as so we might actually see what predators we've been up against. I'm thinking that soaking the rock in RO would fulfill these requirements.

Comments, suggestions, warnings, whatever are welcome . TIA

[andestang]

I put mine in RO water for a couple of days and that seemed to have worked. I feel for you with all your frustration. Good thing having this board though, never had the option back then Good luck

[Beverly]

Thanks for your reply, Ande

Have yet another tank set up with the two rocks and RO Good thing we have so many spare tanks in storage

[trilinearmipmap]

If you bake the rock, water trapped inside the rock could turn to steam and the rock might explode.

You might consider putting the rock in your freezer for 24 to 48 hours.

[danny zubot]

Do you think freezing the rock might preserve some of the bio bacteria? If so it would be less harmful to the rock.

[Beverly]

The rocks were in RO for several days. Then I removed the rock and RO from the tank, filled the tank with water and crud from a water change. The crud will be teeming with bacteria and the rock should cure quicker with the crud than without it.

Really, I wasn't that concerned about preserving bacteria. I mean, if bacteria survived, then maybe the snail killer might have survived too When in doubt when dealing with one of those worms, KILL EVERYTHING