escaping nerite snails

[missdiane]

Hi all
I'm looking for ANY suggestions to prevent the escape of my new snails. Actually they haven't arrived but research tells me they are famous for escaping. One snail will be housed in a 3 gl. with my Betta. it has a cover, but has 'cut outs' where the filter, and light fits & another square feeding hole. Four others will go into my 20 gl. which has a hood but very large cut out area for filter, etc. in the back. I'm not so good at making stuff. Would using a piece of screen or plastic wrap be OK? HEEEEELP!

Also, can anyone advise whether it's necessary to add calcium to keep the snail's shells hard? I've read that giving a leaf of fresh spinach each week should do it. Have heard that I should put a cuddle (?) bone in the tank. I think this is something sold for birds? Will it hurt my fish? I use Excel, liquid flourish & flourish tabs & there's some calcium in these as well. I don't like to over mess with mother nature THANKS AHEAD FOR HELP - I LOVE IT HERE!

[Carl]

You can seal any cracks near edges with silicone, however you still need to have openings somewhere in the top for gas exchange (CO2- O2- N).

I would recommend one small Wonder Shell, however a piece of a Cuttle bone would likely work OK too.

Carl

[angelminx]

I read that the Olive Nerites (I only have the others--"tigers"...) coming to the surface means that there is a problem; I think it was low oxygen. Also that the Olives will bury themselves, while the others not so much. I have noticed that my Nerites like to spend some of their time at or above the water level, but have never had a problem with them trying to escape.