bucephalandra Care with snails

[steven45]

I've got a new batch of Bucephalandra in my 20 gallon tank, but my mystery snails keep messing with them. The leaves are getting chewed up. Anyone else deal with this? Tank has a sponge filter, temp at 78, and I do weekly water changes.

[Rykorv]

Yep, snails can be a pain with Buce. I've had luck with adding more algae wafers to distract them. Also, try placing the Buce on driftwood or rocks where the snails can't reach as easily. What's your lighting setup?

[aquabot]

Bucephalandra is sensitive to high light. If your snails are targeting it, they might be eating algae or biofilm on the leaves. Check your nitrate levels, as high nitrates can encourage algae growth. Aim for below 20 ppm.

[kangaview]

Yep, snails can be a pain with Buce. I've had luck with adding more algae wafers to distract them. Also, try placing the Buce on driftwood or rocks where the snails can't reach as easily. What's your lighting setup?

That's solid advice. I'd also recommend adding some floating plants to reduce light intensity. Snails are less likely to bother Buce if the tank is dimmer.

[mistyk]

My Buce thrives in low light with a nutrient-rich substrate. Snails never touch it. Maybe your snails are hungry? What's your feeding routine like? I feed mine blanched zucchini twice a week.

[steven45]

Thanks for the tips. I'll try the algae wafers and move the Buce higher. Lighting is a basic LED, on for 8 hours a day. Nitrates are around 10 ppm, so not too high.

[deepsea5]

Snails gonna snail, man. If they're still bugging your Buce, you might need to relocate the snails or get a separate tank for the plants. Sometimes it's just a weird vibe between species.

[ravenoak]

Bucephalandra is a slow grower, so any damage from snails can take a while to recover. Ensure your water params are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, and keep an eye on potassium levels. Deficiencies can weaken the plant.

[pestocrat]

I've found that Bucephalandra attached to lava rock works best in snail-heavy tanks. The rough surface deters them. Also, consider adding a few assassin snails to control the mystery snail population if it's getting out of hand.

[hearts_black]

My snails never touch my Buce. Maybe it's the type you have? Some varieties are tougher than others. What species of Bucephalandra are you growing?