Can I put snails in my overflow

[gordoncheers]

My overflow has some sort of algae growing in it and I was wondering if I could put a couple of trochus snails in there to clean it up. Will they be able to craw back into the display tank when the algae is gone or do I have to manually take them out.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

It is possible to put them back there, however I would be careful about them potentially clogging your return pump or other drains in your tank (some people have no issues with this while others have had issues). Also, once they are done getting the algae I would move them back into your DT.

 

[Aaron Stone]

My overflow has some sort of algae growing in it and I was wondering if I could put a couple of trochus snails in there to clean it up. Will they be able to craw back into the display tank when the algae is gone or do I have to manually take them out.

You might try putting a cover over it to block the light.

 

[gordoncheers]

It is possible to put them back there, however I would be careful about them potentially clogging your return pump or other drains in your tank (some people have no issues with this while others have had issues). Also, once they are done getting the algae I would move them back into your DT.

My intake pipe is way too small for a fully grown trochus snail to fit inside.

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I wouldn’t do that, to much of a chance they will crawl over the inlet of the drain pipe, and you’ll overflow the Aquarium. I used 1/8” ABS Plastic sheet from Amazon, that is smooth on one side and has a Pebble finish on the other side. Cut it about a 1/2 inch larger than the overflow. I Superglued 1/8” x 1/2” ABS plastic strips, so the ABS couldn’t be pushed forward and accidentally fall into the Aquarium. This keeps the light out of the Overflow, and partially shades the Weir Teeth.

 

[gordoncheers]

I wouldn’t do that, to much of a chance they will crawl over the inlet of the drain pipe, and you’ll overflow the Aquarium. I used 1/8” ABS Plastic sheet from Amazon, that is smooth on one side and has a Pebble finish on the other side. Cut it about a 1/2 inch larger than the overflow. I Superglued 1/8” x 1/2” ABS plastic strips, so the ABS couldn’t be pushed forward and accidentally fall into the Aquarium. This keeps the light out of the Overflow, and partially shades the Weir Teeth.

I don't think a fully grown trochus snail would fit in my intake pipe though.