Pet Shop Haven

Have you ever seen the giant aquarium at the Forum Shops at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas? Go deep into the mall past the Red Piano gift shop, past the Coliseum where Elton John, Celine Dion, Bette Midler and Cher perform. Keep going, past the slot machines, the blackjack tables and the poker room.

Deep under the ground, where the interior lights grow dim, you will start to notice a spectacular, enormous aquarium. Thousands of vivid fish draw the eye. And if you look very meticulously on the floor of the aquarium, or perhaps climbing on one of the rocks or walls, you will see the aquarium snails, working their way through the environment, cleanup up dead plants and animals as they go.

Spot The Snail

Playing spot the snail is a fun game whenever you visit a home or mall where there is an aquarium, like at Caesar's Palace. Snails like to conceal, so they repeatedly place themselves in the shadows or behind rocks. Their shells provide camouflage, making them even harder to spot than ever.

The head of the snail is easy to spot because of its two eyebrow-like tentacles. The tentacles can extend and retreat, and the eyes are located at the base of each one. Snails have tongues that they use to eat the dead matter that forms the basis of their diet.

Gilled Aquarium Snails Prosobranchs

The kind of snail most generally found in an aquarium is a gilled snail. These snails reproduce publicly, and they'll momentarily populate an empty aquarium. Snails with gills are hermaphroditic, which makes it easy for them to reproduce. Some species of aquarium snail change sex to reproduce; others fertilize their own eggs, and other cross-fertilize. Gelatin masses filled with eggs lie under submerged rocks and plants until they hatch.

Red ramshorn aquarium snails are also popularly found. Red shells are the most highly desired. Brown ones aren't rare at all.

Population Control

Overpopulation of aquarium snails can be a problem. Snails are good when they're keeping the aquarium gravel clean, but they can soon overpopulate and become a problem in the aquarium.

The easiest way to keep the tank free of unwanted aquarium snails is to use Botias, also known as loaches. These fish will feast on the gilled snails, and your overpopulation problem will before long be over. If you have other fish, don't give in to the temptation use water dogs to clear out snails. The water dogs will eat the fish in no time.

When setting up a home aquarium, it is important that you properly set up the aquarium air pump. Without the aquarium air pump, the fish won't be able to breath and most would eventually die. Here are some of the essential things you should know about setting up an aquarium air pump.

The Need For An Aquarium Air Pump

Almost all aquariums will need an aquarium air pump. In most cases, the air pump pumps air through the tubes, into the water and through the filter. They provide the needed oxygen that most tropical, saltwater and freshwater fish need for survival. There are different types of air pumps. The type of aquarium you have and the number of fish you have in your tank will determine what type of aquarium air pump you should purchase.

Air Stones And Bubble Wands

One of the easiest and most common aquarium air pumps are air stones and the bubble wands. These are ideal for lesser aquariums and tanks. With this system, one end is attached to tubing and air circulates through the tubing and into the water through the stone. This type of air pump circulates air while creating bubbles in the water.

Under Gravel Aquarium Air Pumps

The under gravel aquarium air pumps are those systems that are place under the gravel in the bottom of the tank. The air is pumped through tube and then up through the underwater gravel. This type air pump is greater suited for larger aquariums or tanks. The under gravel air pump is nice because it is easy to hide inside of the aquarium and it gives it a more natural look.

How To Use An Aquarium Air Pump

The use of an aquarium air pump is really easy. You merely read the guide that come with your air pump. Basically, you take out the air pump from the box, put it into the aquarium and start it. If the air pump attached to a filter, then you have to clean it again and again, because it gets very dirty. Make sure you read the directions neatly when you have a new air pump. That is best way to learn to use it properly. If you have any product specific questions, most air pumps have a toll free number on their box that you can call, or you can simply ask your questions to the local pet store employee.