My HerMits and Snails are Bleaching

[paulgriffin971]

Water parameters are spot on. Little bit of green hair algae, but I have no idea whats going on. Calcium, magnesium, and the basics(ammon, nitrite, nitrate all check at .20 . Carbonate is right at 9 DKH. Any concern or advice here?

 

[Ron Reefman]

I've never heard of snails bleaching. But if the shell is turning white while in your tank, it's possible you have something going on (but I'm not sure what). Snail's shells aren't alive, so it may not be a big deal, especially if the snail itself is surviving and eating.

 

[paulgriffin971]

Yeah, theyre eating and crawling around fine. Shells were dark brown before and it seamed like over 3-4 days they started bleaching out. Maybe I have the UV on the light too high?

 

[Ron Reefman]

You have UV lighting over your tank?

If it's just a couple of led bulbs, they are probably OK, but I'd turn them down just as a safety precaution. And some fixtures call their 410nm bulbs 'UV' when it's just violet. True UV starts at 399 and lower. And true UV is almost invisible to the human eye.

 

[hllb]

Are you sure they weren't covered in coralline algae? and that turned white? That could happen.

 

[paulgriffin971]

Running the stock hydra26 on it—red sea reefer 170. UV is set to 60%. Didnt think about the coraline. Maybe it’ll grow over time and the shells will be fine. Everything tests fine, just never seen shells bleach like that.