Схема укладки теплого водяного пола улиткой: Тёплый пол улитка: как укладывать

4 Проверенные схемы подключения водяного теплого пола

Водяной теплый пол – популярная система отопления, которую можно реализовать различными способами. В этом материале разберем 4 основные схемы подключения водяного теплого пола.

Что такое водяной теплый пол

Водяной теплый пол — низкотемпературная система отопления, где теплоноситель подается с температурой 35-45^оС, по нормам не выше 55 ^оС. Кроме того, теплый пол это отдельный циркуляционный контур, которому необходим отдельный циркуляционный насос. 

У теплого пола есть ограничения по температуре поверхности пола — 26-31^оС. Максимальный перепад температуры между разводкой подачи и обратки теплого водяного пола допускается не более 10^оС. Максимальная скорость протока теплоносителя составляет 0,6 м/с. 

 Схема 1. Соединение теплого пола напрямую от котла

Данная схема подключения водяного теплого пола имеет теплогенератор, арматуру безопасности с насосом. Теплоноситель непосредственно от котла поступает в распределительный коллектор теплого пола и затем расходится по петлям и реверсирует обратно в котел. Котел должен быть настроен на температуру теплого пола.

При этом возникают два нюанса:

• Желательно использовать в монтаже конденсационный котел, т.к. низкотемпературный режим для него оптимален. В этом режиме у конденсационного котла максимальный кпд. У обычного котла при работе в низкотемпературном режиме очень быстро выйдет из строя теплообменник. Если котел твердотопливный, то необходима буферная емкость для коррекции температуры, так как данный котел сложно поддается температурной регулировке.
• Хороший вариант для теплого пола — это когда он подключен к тепловому насосу.

Схема 2. Монтаж теплого пола от трехходового клапана

схема трехходового термостатического клапана

В большинстве случаев при такой схеме монтажа и подключения водяного теплого пола мы имеем комбинированную систему отопления, здесь находятся радиаторы отопления с температурой 70-80^оС и контур теплого пола с температурой 40^оС. Встает вопрос, как из этих восьмидесяти сделать сорок.

Для этого применяется трехходовой термостатический клапан. Клапан устанавливается на подаче, после него обязательно устанавливается циркуляционный насос. С обратки теплого пола производится подмешивание остывшего теплоносителя  к теплоносителю, который получаем из котлового контура и который в дальнейшем с помощью трехходового клапана понижается до ходовой температуры.

Минус такой схемы разводки теплого пола в невозможности дозировать пропорциональность подмеса остывшего теплоносителя горячему и в теплый пол может поступать недогретый или перегретый теплоноситель. Это снижает комфорт и эффективность системы. 

Достоинством такой схемы является простота монтажа и невысокая стоимость оборудования. 

Данная схема больше подходит для отопления небольших площадей и там, где нет высоких требований заказчика к комфорту и эффективности, где есть желание сэкономить. 

В реальной жизни схема встречается крайне редко по причине нестабильности работы радиаторов, подключенной к единой трубе. При приоткрывании трехходового вентиля подпитывается греющий контур, а давление помпы передается в основную магистраль.

Пример реализации:

Схема 3. Разводка теплого пола от насосно-смесительного узла

модуль подмеса

Это смешанная схема подключения водяного теплого пола, где есть зона радиаторного отопления, теплый пол и применяется насосно-смесительный узел. Происходит подмешивание остывшего теплоносителя с обратки теплого пола к котловому.

У всех смесительных узлов присутствует балансировочный клапан, с помощью которого можно дозировать количество остывшего теплоносителя при подмесе к горячему. Это позволяет добиться четко заданной температуры теплоносителя на выходе из узла, т.е. на входе в петли теплого пола. Так существенно повышается потребительский комфорт и эффективность системы в целом.

В зависимости от модели узла, в его состав могут входить другие полезные элементы: байпас с перепускным клапаном, балансировочный клапан первичного котлового контура или шаровые краны с двух сторон от циркуляционного насоса. 

Схема 4. Подключение теплого пола от радиатора

Это специальные комплекты, предназначенные для подключения одной петли теплого пола на площадь 15-20 кв.м. Выглядят как пластиковая коробка, внутри которой в зависимости от производителя и комплектации, могут находиться ограничители по температуре теплоносителя, ограничители температуры воздуха в помещении и воздухоотводчик. 

Теплоноситель поступает в петлю подключенного водяного теплого пола прямо из высокотемпературного контура, т.е. с температурой 70-80^оС, остывает в петле до заданной величины и заходит новая партия горячего теплоносителя. Дополнительный насос здесь не требуется, должен справляться котловой. 

Недостатком является низкий комфорт. Зоны перегрева будут присутствовать.

Достоинство данной схемы подключения водяного теплого пола в легкой установке. Применяются подобные комплекты, когда малая площадь теплого пола, малое помещение с нечастым пребыванием жильцов. Не рекомендуется устанавливать в спальнях. Подойдет для отопления санузлов, коридоров, лоджий, и т.д.

Подведем итог и сведем в таблицу:

Вид подключения	Комфорт	Эффективность	Монтаж и        настройка	Надежность	Цена
Обычный газовый,ТТ или дизельный	±	±	+	±	+
Конденсационный котел или тепловой насос	+	+	+	±	—
Трехходовой термостатический клапан	±	±	+	+	±
Насосно-смесительный узел	+	+	±	+	—
Термомонтажный комплект	—	±	+	+	+

Мастера-сантехники и эксперты по теплогазоснабжению рекомендуют избегать схем подключения водяного теплого пола к рабочим ветвям отопления. Греющие контуры теплового пола лучше запитывать прямо на котел, чтобы обогрев пола мог функционировать независимо от батарей, особенно в летнее время.

Схемы укладки водяного теплого пола

Способы раскладки трубы теплого пола

Существуют три основных способа укладки водяного теплого пола: змейка, спираль (улитка) и комбинация этих вариантов. Чаще всего теплый пол монтируют улиткой, в некоторых местах используют змейку.

Схема монтажа «Улитка»

Укладка теплого улиткой позволяет более равномерно распределять тепло по всему помещению. При такой разводке труба монтируется по кругу к центру, затем от центра «разворачивается» по кругу в обратном направлении.

При раскладке теплого пола улиткой нужно закладывать отступ для раскладки трубы в обратном направлении.

Укладка теплого пола змейкой

При такой укладке труба теплого пола монтируется в одном направлении и при окончании раскладки контура просто возвращается в обратку коллектора. При таком устройстве в начале контура температура теплоносителя горячее, в конце холоднее. Поэтому раскладку змейкой используют довольно редко.

Расчет теплого пола

Перед подключением теплого пола по разработанной схеме, необходимо сделать его предварительный расчет. Грубый расчет Вы можете сделать самостоятельно по следующим шагам:

1. Определите место расположения коллектора. Чаще всего его монтируют в центре этажа.
2. Попробуйте схематично изобразить разводку труб теплого пола, соблюдая следующую информацию: при шаге 15 см на квадратный метр трубы тратится 6,5 метров трубы, длина трубы не должна превышать 100 метров, контура все должны быть примерно одинаковыми.
3. Определяемся с метражом всех контуров и в целом можно приступать к монтажу.

Так же не забудьте сделать тепловые расчеты здания. В интернете есть множество готовых калькуляторов. Если теплопотери в помещении не превышают 100 Вт на метр квадратный, то теплый пол у вас не потребует дополнительных приборов отопления.

Монтаж теплого пола

Как определись со схемой укладки и подключения водяного пола, нужно приступать к монтажу.

1. Подготовьте основание теплого пола. Оно должны быть ровным с минимальным перепадом высот.
2. Уложите гидроизоляцию, если того требуют местные нормативы
3. Уложите полистирол толщиной 10 см на первом этаже и 5 см на последующих.
4. Постелите полиэтилен, чтобы меньше стяжки соприкасалось с изоляцией
5. Если способом крепления у Вас является армирующая сетка, то уложите ее на полиэтилен
6. Раскладывайте трубу теплого пола согласно утвержденной схеме
7. Опрессуйте систему
8. Заливайте стяжку

Читайте так же:

Схемы укладки труб теплого пола

Вступление

Наверняка вы знаете, что водяной теплый пол это система обогрева пола, теплоносителем (чаще водой), двигающимся по трубам, уложенным в пол. Для понимания дальнейшего изложения, напомню, что элементами водного теплого пола являются: коллектор теплого пола; трубы, уложенные по замкнутому контуру; конструкция пола.

Особенность укладки труб теплого пола

Принцип работы теплого пола ничем не отличается от радиаторного отопления. От источника тепла, нагретая вода,  циркулирует по системе, отдавая тепло в помещение. Передача тепла от труб осуществляется через слой стяжки или отражается от конструкции пола.

Ключевое словом в принципе работы теплого пола, важное для дальнейшего рассказа, является слово – циркулирует, то есть движется по условно замкнутой траектории, в нашем случае движется по условно замкнутому контуру.

Контур теплого пола это труба, проложенная в строительной конструкции пола или стены, по траектории, начинающейся от коллектора и заканчивающейся в нём же.

Длина контура

Вода не электричество, для циркуляции она должна втекать и вытекать. В контур теплого пола, вода втекает нагретой. Обычно, до температуры 50-55˚C. Совершая движение по контуру, вода, естественно остывает, отдавая тепло, и вытекает из контура уже охлаждённой. В коллекторе вода смешивается с горячей водой, тем самым опять подогревается и поступает в контур температурой 50-55˚C.

Чтобы теплый пол не охлаждал сам себя, максимально допустимой длиной контура теплого пола, считается:

• Для труб 20 мм —  макс. длина 120 метров;
• Для труб 16 мм — макс. длина 100 метров.

Оптимальная длина контура теплого пола, рекомендована до 90 и 70 метров соответственно.

Фиксируем первый параметр важный для схемы укладки труб теплого пола: длина каждого контура теплого пола должна быть не более 100 (120) метров, оптимально не более 70 (90) метров для труб 16 (20) мм.

Напомню, что в доме может сколько угодно контуров теплого пола, а также возможно установить несколько коллекторов. Для примера проект теплого пола.

Схемы укладки труб теплого пола

Замкнутость контура теплого пола не единственная его особенность. В теории, проложить замкнутый контур из труб можно по хаотической траектории. На практике, трубу контура нужно проложить так, чтобы она не только возвращалась туда откуда началась, но и не пересекалась по трасе. Кстати, это же условие не пересечения. Относится и к разным контурам теплого пола.

Вы сами можете попробовать нарисовать линию с двумя перечисленными условиями, не пересекаться и заканчиваться, там, где началась. Получатся у вас схемы укладки труб теплого пола, называемые «улитка», «змейка 1», «змейка 2». Все остальные схемы будут производными от этих простейших схем.

Чем отличаются схемы укладки

Обратим внимание на отличия этих схем.  Схемы «улитка» и «змейка 2», нарисованы так, что теплая и холодная половики контура смешиваются, образуя чередование веток  тепло-холод-тепло-холод. Такая схема обеспечивает равномерный прогрев пола, не создавая отдельных холодных и теплых зон.

Схема «змейка 1», создает отдельную, теплую зону и отдельную холодную зону. Эта схема используется в комнатах имеющих наружные стены с окнами, для большего прогрева именно зон примыкания к наружным стенам.

Обращу ваше внимание, что используемы понятия холодная и теплая зоны весьма условны. Температура теплоносителя в «холодной» зоне выше 30˚C.

Расстояние между трубами

Составляя схемы укладки труб теплого пола, кроме длины и рисунка контура, встает вопрос шага водяного теплого пола или расстояния между ветками (нитками) этих хитрых схем. Очевидно, что они тоже должны быть определены.

И здесь самое интересное. Шаг водяного теплого пола зависит от расчетной тепловой нагрузке, которая в свою очередь рассчитывается от тепловых потерь дома, диаметра выбранных труб, длины контра и температуры теплоносителя на входе.

Эти расчеты я покажу в другой статье, здесь выводы.  Шаг водяного теплого пола принимается равным:

• 300 мм для тепловой нагрузки 50 Вт/кв. метр;
• 150 мм для тепловой нагрузки 80 Вт/кв. метр;
• 200/250 мм, для помещений с высокими потолками или большими площадями.

Для зон примыкания к наружным стенам шаг теплого пола может снижаться.

Фиксируем второй параметр для схемы укладки труб теплого пола – шаг теплого пола 150 мм для тепловой нагрузки 80-90 Вт/кв. метр.

Выводы

• Схемы укладки труб теплого пола составляются по рисунку змейка или зигзаг, с возможной комбинацией этих рисунков;
• Оптимальная длина контура теплого пола 70-90 метров для труб 16-20 мм;
• Оптимальный шаг теплого пола дома – 150 мм.

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Keep them in an indoor aquarium until they’re about the diameter of a quarter, when you can return them safely to your pond. 90022 90021 The United States mystery snail, or Ampullaria (Pomacea) cuprina is available in numerous colors and is sometimes referred to as the «aquatic gardener» of the mollusk world. Sometimes offered for sale as apple snails, they’re incredibly prolific and can take over your pond in almost no time. Fortunately they’re easy to sex, so you can separate boys from girls to control breeding habits.90022 90021 Malaysian burrowing snails, Melanoides (Melania) tuberculata, are not highly plant destructive, but they are prolific livebearers and can quickly overpopulate your pond. 90022 90021 Apple snails such as Ampullaria (Pomacea) australis, A. paludosa, and A. caniculator are very attractive and sold in many colors. They’re also very large and will quickly eat every plant in the pond. Prolific hermaphrodites, apple snails overrun ponds in practically no time. 90022 90021 Often sold as ramshorn snails, Marisa rotula, Planorbis corneus and Segmentina victoriae sport shells very similar in shape to that of the Japanese black trapdoor snail.Many shell colors are available. The good news is that these guys are not highly destructive when it comes to plants. The bad news is that they are prolific hermaphrodites that do not require mates for breeding purposes. 90022 90031.90000 Floor Heat System With Warm Water 90001 90002 Specifications 90003 90002 90003 90002 90007 Floor heat system with warm water 90008 90003 90010 90011 Low increase to the floor 90012 90011 Save power keep heat upward 90012 90011 Sound insulation 90012 90011 light and easy to installation 90012 90011 Easy to be cut by knife 90012 90011 Save labor cost, one bedroom can be done within half hour 90012 90023 90002 90003 90002 Product Description 90003 90002 90003 90002 90007 Floor heat system with warm water 90008 which have a return side to other side is an efficient thermal insulation material in under floor heating system .90003 90002 90003 90002 The hot pipes can be installed into the grooves, if the XPS board is covered by aluminum foil or aluminum panel, the energy could be spreaded efficiently and evenly. 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 Characteristics: 90003 90002 Pre-laid to falls (min. 2% drain angle) 90003 90002 Easy access, floor level Ideal for elderly or disabled 90003 90002 Can be finished with tiles to match surrounding decoration. 90003 90002 Can be cut to fit on site 90003 90002 Use to create a wetroom or enclosed shower area 90003 90002 Environment friendly (free of CFC and HCFC) 90003 90002 Preformed (no skilled laying of falls) 90003 90002 Can be fixed to timber or concrete floors 90003 90002 OEM is acceptable 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90007 90008 90003 90002 90007 Floor heat system with warm water 90008 90003 90082 90083 90084 90085 Available Sizes: 90086 90085 90086 90085 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 thickness 90086 90085 Length 90086 90085 Width 90086 90085 pipe 90086 90093 90084 90085 25mm 90086 90085 1200mm 90086 90085 1200mm 90086 90085 OD16mm 90086 90093 90084 90085 28mm 90086 90085 1200mm 90086 90085 1200mm 90086 90085 OD16mm 90086 90093 90084 90085 30mm 90086 90085 1200mm 90086 90085 1200mm 90086 90085 OD20mm 90086 90093 90084 90085 Other sizes could be produced accordingly 900 86 90085 90086 90085 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 Technical Data: 90086 90085 90086 90085 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 90086 90085 90086 90085 XPS 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 Density 90086 90085 Kg / m3 90086 90085 38 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 Thermal conductivity, 90 days, 10 ° C 90086 90085 W / mK 90086 90085 0.03 ~ 0.036 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 Compressive strength at 10% deflection or yield, (vertical) 90086 90085 kPa 90086 90085 ≥ 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 Tensile strength 90086 90085 kPa 90086 90085 ≥ 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 Water absorption 90086 90085 Vol-% 90086 90085 <= 1.00% 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 Capillarity 90086 90085 nil 90086 90085 nil 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 Coefficient of linear thermal expansion 90086 90085 mm / mK 90086 90085 0.07 90086 90085 90086 90093 90084 90085 Temperature limits 90086 90085 ° C 90086 90085 -50 ° C, + 75 ° C 90086 90085 90086 90093 90244 90245 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 Packing and shipping: 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 Structure of Floor heat system with warm water: 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 Installation: 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 Accessories: 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 Factory and warehouse: 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 HZTYCO in exihibition: 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 Certificates: 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 90002 90003 .90000 Nerite Snails: The Definitive Care Guide 90001 90002 Nerite snails are one of the best options when trying to keep your tank clean, whether it's freshwater or saltwater. They spend most of their time moving around the tank, consuming any algae in their path. 90003 90002 Snails are ideal for beginner, as they are likely to make a few mistakes. They are very easy to care for and have few demands once you've added them to your tank. 90003 90002 They are also easy to breed so your snail population can quickly multiply.90003 90002 At less than an inch long they will not worry anyone who's space conscious and they can be kept in smaller tanks. 90003 90002 In this guide we will tell you everything you need to know about nerite snails, including the different varieties, their diet, and an ideal tank setup. 90003 90012 90013 90014 90015 Category 90016 90015 Rating 90016 90019 90020 90021 90014 90023 Care Level: 90024 90023 Easy 90024 90019 90014 90023 Temperament: 90024 90023 Peaceful 90024 90019 90014 90023 Color Form: 90024 90023 Species Dependent 90024 90019 90014 90023 Lifespan: 90024 90023 1 -2 Years 90024 90019 90014 90023 Size: 90024 90023 Up to 1 inch 90024 90019 90014 90023 Diet: 90024 90023 Herbivore 90024 90019 90014 90023 Family: 90024 90023 Neritidae 90024 90019 90014 90023 Minimum Tank Size: 90024 90023 5 Gallons 90024 90019 90014 90023 Tank Set-Up: 90024 90023 Freshwater: Rocks and Driftwood 90024 90019 90014 90023 Compatibility: 90024 90023 Peaceful Community 90024 90019 90082 90083 90084 Overview of Nerite Snails 90085 90086 Zebra Nerite by TheJammingYam 90002 These snails are from the Neritidae family, which contains over 200 species .Most of these species are from brackish, seashore waters, but a few live in rivers and streams. This means that some can be used in freshwater tanks and others in saltwater setups. 90003 90002 Those used in freshwater tanks originated from brackish waters in Eastern Africa, so they would normally live in a mixture of salty seawater and fresh river water. Saltwater species tend to be from the Pacific or Caribbean coast. 90003 90002 Many of these snails have adapted to live in freshwater so make perfect tankmates for your freshwater aquarium; they should live for 1-2 years and grow up to an inch.90003 90002 The main reason that people add these snails to their tank is because they're one of the best algae eaters around. This helps to keep tanks clean, as long as they are not overstocked. Snails are not very active, but they're peaceful creatures and should not cause any problems for the rest of your fish. 90003 90002 They can become easy prey though, so they're not suitable for a tank full of large, aggressive fish that might want a snack. 90003 90002 Snails are sold in lots of pet stores, and as one of the most popular species, nerites will be easy to find.90003 90002 They're affordable too, with one snail costing around $ 4, but you can usually get them even cheaper if you buy a few at a time. Some species might cost a little more because they're harder to breed in captivity (such as horned nerites). 90003 90101 Behavior 90102 90002 Snails are not very active, but they're peaceful creatures and should not cause any problems for the rest of your fish. 90003 90002 They'll slowly move around consuming the algae in your tank. They will not bother any of your fish.90003 90002 You might sometimes notice your snail appears to have fallen over, their muscle foot is very flexible and they can usually flip themselves back over. You might want to give them a helping hand if they can not! 90003 90002 Snails also need sleep, just like we do, but their sleep happens in 2-3 day cycles rather than the 24 hour cycle we follow. So, how long does a snail sleep for? 90003 90002 They are thought to have around seven bursts of sleep over a 13-15 hour period and they then are able to have around 30 hours of activity.90003 90084 Appearance 90085 90115 Nerita versicolor by James St. John 90002 A snail's anatomy includes a hard, coiled shell on top of a muscular "foot" which moves side to side to push the snail forwards. They also have four sensitive tentacles. 90003 90002 Nerite snails will grow up to 1 inch if kept healthy. Different species have different colors and markings, but they share the same basic shape and structure. 90003 90002 90121 Zebra nerite snails 90122 have stripes across their shells that point towards the center of the coil.The stripes are usually black and yellow in color, but the shade can vary. 90003 90002 90121 Tiger nerite snails 90122 are similar to the zebras, except they're a much more intense orange. The stripes are a lot more jagged too which gives each snail a slightly different look. 90003 90002 90121 Olive nerite snails 90122 are commonly kept in aquariums. Their name gives away their color, but most of them do not have a pattern on their shell. The black line of the coil stands out against the olive color and produces a simple but attractive look.90003 90002 90121 Horned nerite snails 90122 are a little different to the last three. They have thick black and yellow stripes, but along one stripe is a series of dark "horns". 90003 90084 Ideal Habitat and Tank Conditions for Nerite Snails 90085 90138 Checkered Nerite Snail in Natural Habitat 90101 Marine Habitat 90102 90002 They're mostly found in coastal habitats such as mangroves and estuaries which have plenty of rocks and other surfaces which algae grow on; if these can be replicated in your tank then they'll thrive.90003 90002 Saltwater setups will need hiding spots, these can be made using live rock. Live rocks let your snails take advantage of the algae that grows on its surfaces. 90003 90002 A snail has four tentacles which are very sensitive. A fine-grained, sandy substrate reduces the risk of scratching. Calcium substrate is best because it means that the snails always have a good supply of calcium, which is needed for a strong shell. 90003 90002 The water parameters are the same for both saltwater and freshwater snails, they prefer a high pH of 8.1-8.4 and a temperature of 72-78 ° F. Saltwater tanks should be kept to a salinity of 1.020-1.028sg. 90003 90101 Freshwater Habitat 90102 90002 A small amount of true freshwater species live in habitats such as forest and mountain streams. As we mentioned before, some marine and brackish snails have also adapted to live in freshwater. Fresh and saltwater tanks have very similar setups. 90003 90002 Rocks and driftwood are ideal for freshwater tanks. Make sure to provide plenty of caves to act as hiding spots, even though most of their time will be spent out and about.90003 90002 Similarly to saltwater setups, your freshwater tank should also have a fine-grained sanded substrate. 90003 90002 Plants are not crucial but they're an easy way to make a tank look natural and colorful. The snails will not eat them either, so you can use slower growing species (such as java fern). 90003 90002 The water level of coastal habitats changes with the tide, so the snails are not fully submerged all the time in the wild. At night, nerites have been known to climb above the surface of the water.Lowering your water level by an inch or two gives them some room to get out of the water briefly. 90003 90002 On the subject of climbing, snails are very good at it. It's worth investing in a tight-fitting lid for your tank if you do not have one already. 90003 90002 Before adding snails, you need to make sure that the water parameters are suitable. They prefer a high pH of 8.1-8.4 and a temperature of 72-78 ° F. 90003 90002 The water needs to be free from ammonia and nitrites, nitrates should be less than 20mg / L.90166 You should not need any special equipment to maintain these conditions, you just need a suitable filter and heater. 90003 90002 It's best to start with just a few snails and regularly checking for any effects on the rest of the tank. One or two snails would be suitable when setting up a 10 gallon tank. 90003 90002 The amount of snails you can have in your aquarium completely depends on how many fish you're going to keep them with. As a rough indication you can include around 1 snail per 5 gallons.90166 They can be kept in any aquariums larger than 5 gallons. 90003 90084 Tank Mates for Nerite Snails 90085 90002 The main criteria for tank mates are that they must be small and peaceful, beyond that you can keep these snails with most fish. 90003 90002 Generally, this means steering away from cichlid tanks and more towards tetras, guppies and barbs. 90003 90002 They fit in well with peaceful communities, but this does not just mean fish. You can keep them with shrimp (such as the ghost shrimp) and even other nerite species.90003 90002 Keeping them with a mixture of fish and shrimp is particularly rewarding because you get to see so many different behaviors and every area of ​​the tank has a point of interest. 90003 90101 Keeping Nerite Snails Together 90102 90002 Different nerites can be kept together without any problems, even the more intimidating horned species is peaceful. 1 or 2 snails in a 10 gallon tank will avoid overstocking. 90003 90002 You can add 1 snail per 5 gallons of water. This is not a strict ratio, but if you add too many in a small space they will not have enough algae to eat.90003 90084 What do Nerite Snails Eat? 90085 90191 Zebra Nerite Snail in a Tank by Evan Baldonado 90002 Snails need to compensate for being slow by scavenging vegetation with their sensory tentacles and radula - a structure used to scrape food. 90003 90002 They primarily feed on algae that forms on the surfaces in your tank. If you stock your tank correctly, they should be able to live off the algae. 90003 90002 If alga is not forming fast enough then you should add in other foods. 90003 90002 Algae wafers make good substitutes, especially since they sit on the bottom of the tank until a snail comes across them.90003 90002 Another option is to add green vegetables from your kitchen to the tank. Spinach and lettuce make cheap alternatives to store-bought foods and keep a snail's diet interesting. Homemade recipes work too. 90003 90002 Remember that wafers and vegetables are only needed if there's not enough algae in your tank. If you're having to scrape algae off the glass every now and then, the snails should be fine without being fed. 90003 90002 You need to be careful how much you feed your snails, overfeeding and underfeeding each have different effects on an aquatic snail's health (more on this later).Nerites are not fussy when it comes to food. They're very easy to cater for and they will not eat your plants which is an added bonus. 90003 90084 Caring for a Nerite Snail 90085 90002 Just like all living things, snails can experience a variety of health problems. Some are easy to avoid through proper care, others are harder to control. 90003 90002 A snail's shell is a common cause for concern. Sometimes the shell's growth can become stunted. This should not be a problem if they're in a healthy environment since the two main causes for stunted growth are a low temperature and not eating enough.90003 90002 Over-eating can also be a problem for a snail's shell. This will usually discolor it because the extra energy from the food causes the shell to grow at a faster rate. 90003 90002 In the wild, nerite snails have dark shells because there is not much food. The shell stays dark as it's growing so slowly. 90003 90002 Snails need calcium to keep their shells strong, so a lack of calcium can cause the shell to weaken and crack. If you notice this then try adding calcium supplements, such as calcium sulfate, or use a calcium substrate.90003 90002 You also need to look out for white spots on shells, as these are usually parasites that have latched on. It's harder to tell if your snails are being affected by an internal parasite, but both forms can be fatal depending on the species of parasite. 90003 90220 90002 Older snails are more likely to get a disease called "oedema". The snail's body will swell and fill up with fluid, making it harder for the snail to move. 90003 90223 90002 Finally, you need to remember that copper is toxic to most invertebrates so keep the water in your tank free from it.Watch out for medications that contain copper, even a slight trace can be fatal. 90003 90084 Breeding Nerite Snails 90085 90228 Emerald Nerite Snail by James St. John 90002 One reason why these snails are so popular for freshwater aquariums is because fish stores often tell people they will not breed in freshwater tanks. 90003 90002 This is not necessarily true. They will breed and lay eggs, but the larvae do not usually survive in freshwater. 90003 90002 You can either let your snails reproduce in freshwater and move the eggs, or just start the process with snails that are already acclimatized to living in saltwater.90003 90002 Most snails reproduce asexually, but nerite snails are an exception. The female will produce eggs for the male to fertilize, like fish. The eggs will then be spread throughout the tank and develop into larvae over a couple of weeks. 90003 90002 Once hatched, the young are very small, to the point where they might get sucked into the filter inlet. A sponge filter would make this virtually impossible. 90003 90002 If breeding snails is your aim, moving them to a brackish water setup will give you the best chance of success (this is their natural habitat).If you are moving the snails from a freshwater setup you should gradually acclimate them first; there are many ways to do this. 90003 90002 One way is to remove the snails with some of their old tank water, then slowly add water from the new environment over the next couple of hours until the water level has tripled. 90003 90002 An ideal breeding tank will contain as many snails as possible with a fairly even ratio of males to females. 90003 90002 The size of the group depends on the size of the tank you have, but a small group of five should be fine.They will start to breed once they're comfortable in the tank. 90003 90084 Are Nerite Snails Suitable for your Aquarium (Summary)? 90085 90002 Nerite snails can be kept by people of all fishkeeping abilities because they're so easy to care for. 90003 90002 The main things to consider before buying some are whether your tank is a peaceful community aquarium, and whether the water parameters are in a suitable range. 90003 90002 They can be kept with other freshwater fish but will become prey if these fish are big and aggressive.90003 90002 If you can, it's worth trying nerites at some point. They'll keep algae levels down while providing a completely different look compared to any fish swimming around them. 90003 90002 All this with such little effort. It's hard to find a reason not to add them to your tank. 90003 90002 90260 Have you kept nerite snails? Let us know your experience in the comments below ... 90261 90003.90000 How to Control Pest Snails in a Fish Tank 90001 90002 Snail Infestation in Your Aquarium 90003 90004 You've worked hard on your new aquarium. You've stocked it appropriately, and your fish appear happy and healthy. Maybe you've even included a few live plants, and the whole thing is looking pretty darned good if you say so yourself. 90005 90004 But, as you sit back and admire your work, you notice something strange. There's a critter in there you sure do not remember inviting, and when you look closer you realize he's brought a few friends.What the blazes is going on here? 90005 90004 Those tiny snails that mysteriously appeared in your tank are considered pests by many aquarium owners. They multiply like crazy, and unfortunately, they are a challenge to get rid of. Usually, they or their eggs come in on live plants or on bits of gravel from a fish store, and they are hard to spot. 90005 90004 Because of this some aquarists quarantine their plants and dip them in a bleach solution before planting. You can also make sure you do not add any excess water or material from bags when you add new fish to your tank.90005 90004 Still, no matter what precautions you take you may find your tank infested. This article discusses a few natural ways to control and possibly eliminate snails in your fish tank. While there are over-the-counter chemicals available that are intended to kill off invertebrates, I've always tried to keep things as natural as possible. 90005 90004 Let's get to it. Those snails are not going to leave on their own. 90005 90002 Types of Pest Snails in an Aquarium 90003 90004 The typical types of pest snails are: 90005 90020 90021 Tadpole or Pond Snails 90022 90023 90004 These are the most common snails you'll encounter, and they breed like crazy.They have small, rounded shells and grow to about the size of a pea. They lay eggs in gelatinous globs on surfaces such as plants, decorations, and even the tank glass, and that's one of the reasons they are so invasive. 90005 90020 90021 Ramshorn Snails 90022 90023 90004 They have taller shells with a spiral shape and they grow to around the size of a dime. They too lay their eggs in clutches along aquarium surfaces. Since they do not breed as rapidly and are somewhat attractive you may not mind having these guys around.90005 90020 90021 Trumpet Snails 90022 90023 90004 They have elongated, cone-like spiral shells and grow to about an inch in length. Even if you have them they may be tough to spot when tank lights are on, as they tend to burrow into the gravel and come out in the dark. Like pond snails, they are prolific breeders, but they are live-bearers who do not lay eggs. 90005 90004 Be aware that we are not talking about Apple Snails, Mystery Snails or other aquarium pets. Those are snails you intentionally add to your tank, and if you have them you need to consider them in your approach to dealing with pest snails.In other words, do not harm your pets in an effort to get rid of the pests. 90005 90002 Are Snails Good For a Fish Tank? 90003 90004 Believe it or not, those little snails actually do some good in your tank. They work as scavengers, cleaning up waste, debris, and uneaten food. They also eat algae to some extent. If you only have a few, and you do not mind the look of them, you may not consider them pests at all. 90005 90004 The problems start when their population gets out of control. Snails breathe, create waste and decompose when they die just like any other fish or animal in your tank.They add to the bioload, meaning your aquarium not only needs to support your fish but an ever-increasing population of snails as well. They are so tiny that a few of them surely will not matter, but if you let things get out of control before long you'll find that the tank, and the fish, are under constant stress. 90005 90004 Personally, I also believe that all living things deserve respect and humane treatment. That includes critters we consider pests. For this reason, I highly suggest working hard to keep your snail population under control to begin with.When they are allowed to breed excessively many snails must be removed from the tank and destroyed. While this action is necessary to preserve the health of the fish, it never feels good. 90005 90004 I'll step off the soapbox now. Let's solve your snail problem. 90005 90002 Controlling the Snail Population 90003 90004 If you've already got snails they are not going to go quietly. You're going to have to get your hands dirty. It is a constant effort to physically remove the snails as best you can.You can set snail traps to encourage them to congregate in one spot. There are over-the-counter traps available, or you can build one yourself. 90005 90004 While you're plucking the little invaders out you can begin to address the things that caused your snail problem to begin with. Like most issues in the aquarium, it basically comes down to poor management practices. 90005 90004 Snail populations explode because of an abundance of food. In some cases, they eat the same things your fish eat.If you are overfeeding your fish, snails will reproduce more quickly, and once this begins there is a sort of cascade effect. If you have a snail problem you may also have an algae problem, as this too is exacerbated by overfeeding and poor tank maintenance. 90005 90002 Smart Aquarium Management Practices 90003 90004 Here are a few things you need to consider if you want to control snails in your fish tank and keep things safe and healthy for your fish: 90005 90062 90063 90021 Avoid overfeeding: 90022 Many fish food containers suggest feeding your fish several times per day.In my opinion, novice aquarium owners do far more damage over-feeding their fish than underfeeding. Once per day is fine, twice at the most, and only as much as they will eat in a few minutes. Remember that uneaten food sits on the bottom or in the filter and rots, but your snails will happily munch it up. By reducing feedings the snails will not be able to out-compete your fish for the available food, and they will not be able to rapidly multiply. The better you can manage this the healthier your tank will be.90066 90063 90021 Algae control: 90022 You're going to have algae in your tank. A little is actually a good thing. But too much of it can make a mess of your aquarium and even harm your fish. It also provides a food source that enables your snails to thrive. To reduce algae you have to physically scrape it from the glass, manage light in your tank and control overfeeding. You can not rely on an algae-eating fish; you have to do the work yourself, but it's not as hard as you might think. 90066 90063 90021 Regular water changes: 90022 Clean water is probably the most important thing for maintaining a healthy aquarium.When chemicals from fish waste, decaying food and rotting plant matter build up in the tank it can be very harmful for the fish. The bioload of your growing snail population will only make this worse. Solve this problem with regularly scheduled water changes. For an aquarium without live plants a 15-20% weekly water change is a good goal. If you have live plants you can reduce this to every-other-week, or even monthly. 90066 90063 90021 Vacuum up excess debris and waste: 90022 There are vacuum / water changer devices on the market that make it super easy to do a water change while cleaning the gravel at the same time.These are essentially siphon tubes with a scoop on one end. I've always used the Aqueon Water Changer, as it is affordable and comes in a 50-foot length. It works very well. Digging the scoop end into the gravel sucks the dirt and debris into the tube, removing some of the food the snails thrive on as well as smaller snails themselves. With the larger siphons, once you've removed the desired amount of water, flip a switch and you can begin refilling your tank with the same tube. For more info on this process and to see how I've used my Aqueon device you may want to refer to my article on easy water changes.90066 90079 90002 Aquarium Fish That Eat Snails 90003 90004 There are a few fish that will happily munch up the pest snails in your tank. I've written an in-depth article on fish that eat snails. You may find it useful. I've also included a shortlist below. 90005 90004 If you go this route I highly caution you not to add any fish to your tank that you do not want in there for the long haul. If you think you can make it work, here are a few to consider: 90005 90062 90063 90021 Green Spotted Puffer: 90022 Puffers will mow through your snail population, but they are not suitable community fish.They also have some challenging care requirements, and must live in brackish water once they are past the juvenile stage. They're probably not the best choice, unless you are converting your aquarium to a puffer-only tank. 90066 90063 90021 Clown and Yoyo Loach: 90022 These guys will eat snails, but be aware that they can grow somewhat large. If you have a 55-gallon tank or bigger they may be a good choice. 90066 90063 90021 Betta: 90022 Some betta fish 90098 may 90099 eat smaller snails, but they come with their own set of issues if you wish to keep them in a community setting.90066 90063 90021 Goldfish 90022: Many larger Goldfish will hoover up snails in your tank. In fact, a local pet store in my area had a big Goldfish they would move around to the different tanks to keep the pest snails under control. If you consider trying this approach be aware that Goldfish are not suitable for tropical aquariums in the long term. He will have to live in his own tank, and only come out a few hours per week for snail duty. I 90098 do not 90099 suggest trying this approach with a Betta, in case you are wondering! 90066 90063 90021 Assassin Snail: 90022 Your best bet may not be a fish at all, but another invertebrate.Assassin snails hunt down and eat other snails. They'll also consume leftover food and even algae. A few in your tank will have your pond snails shaking in their shells. 90066 90063 90021 Cories and other scavengers: 90022 Cories are a nice fish to have in your tank even if you do not have snails. While they will not eat the snails themselves, they may eat the eggs. But be aware that they can only do so much, and they can not eat eggs in crevices where they can not reach. 90066 90063 90021 Gourami: 90022 You may or may not have luck with gourami.Some aquarium owners swear they will eat snails, while others dispute this. I have often kept gourami before and never noticed them eating snails, but if you wish to have them in your tank anyway you might have some success. 90066 90079 90002 Advice for Aquarists with Strong Stomachs 90003 90004 I'll warn you now: What you are about to read is a little rough. If you are the squeamish type or some kind of radical animal activist, you'll want to skip ahead to the next section. The information I'm about to present will only make you mad at me and possibly the world as a whole.You have been officially warned. 90005 90004 If you are forced to remove snails from your tank they must be destroyed. Unless you have a puffer to feed or want to keep a dedicated snail tank there are few other options. But there is one if you have the stomach for it. 90005 90004 Most fish will eat snails. The problem is, except for a few mentioned above, they can not manage the shells. But, if you help out a little by removing the snail from the shell, your fish ought to gobble it up. You do this by crushing the shell with your fingers or some other device.Some aquarists use a pluck-and-squish method, where they grab snails directly off the glass with their (clean) hands, crush them with their fingers and drop them right back in the tank. 90005 90004 This may sound like it contradicts my earlier statements about treating animals humanely even if they are pests, but I do not think so. Realize that most of the things you feed your fish come from another animal source anyway. And, if you intend to discard and destroy the snails it is far better for them to have a quick demise rather than a long, drawn-out death.At least this way they are being put a use, to feed other living beings. 90005 90004 Think of it like raising and eating your own cows or pigs for meat rather than buying beef or pork from a store. In the same way, this approach may not be for everyone, but I always felt better thinking the snails were at least part of the food chain rather than just tossed aside. 90005 90004 Of course, if you keep your population under control you will not have to worry about discarding snails to begin with, and that's always the best approach.90005 90002 Learn to Love Snails 90003 90004 If you have rats in your house you're understandably going to go to any means necessary to get rid of them. They spread disease, ruin food, destroy wiring and other parts of your home and cause a whole host of additional nasty problems. Even if you only have a few they have got to go. 90005 90004 Aquarium snails are not really the same kind of pest. They can be beneficial in small numbers, and help to keep your tank clean and tidy. If you can manage to keep them under control you may just consider them another inhabitant of your fish tank.90005 90004 They can also be fun, sometimes anyway. I once had a single ramshorn snail in a 55-gallon tank, who presumably hitchhiked in on a plant. Every day I would look to see where he was and what he was up to. Sometimes he would float around the tank, drifting with the current. I was bummed when he died. 90005 90004 But, if pest snails get out of control in your fish tank you have to take action. I hope I've helped you learn a thing or two about how to manage them. If you have any questions feel free to ask in the comments section and I'll do my best to help.90005 90004 Good luck! 90005 .