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i bought many golf ball+ sized pond snails, in the foolish hope that they might be enough of a pain to eat, and there might be enough of them, that they might last long enough to reproduce. The bottom of the tank looks like I intentionally used snail shells as a substrate. I got lots of live plants too, and they have made a mess of those as well, but they won't be getting pellets for awhile. I think I may have to start a little tank just for a few plants and snails. They were big snails! I don't know how they did it. The curve of the shell was big enough that I didn't think they could get their mouths open far enough for a good chomp, but they showed me!

I've gotten dozens of 1-1.5" snails (like you see in PetSmart, etc) over time for my pond, and there's now only 1 left. Dunno how that one has made it so long. I'm not even 100% sure HOW the other snails were eaten, cause in most cases the shells are intact...not crushed or broken. It's a mystery to me.

Water hyacinth is considered an invasive plant here in FL cause it takes over EVERYTHING and multiplies to darn quick. I put it in my pond & within 2 weeks the plants are dying cause my turts LOVE to snack on the roots. I'd like nothing better than to grow water lillies, but most of those leaves never even make it to the surface before they're eaten.

I consider it an ongoing game w/ my guys.