How long can MTS live in gravel without water?

[JMLenke]

Ok the 20L I just set up(3 weeks ago) has gravel that has sat in a bucket undisturbed for the better part of a year.

The plants all came from my other tanks.

I just found multiple MTS all 1/2" long roaming around.

I have NO MTS in any other tanks.

Anyone even want to hazard a guess at how long they can live without water?

[JMLenke]

I might add that as I watch the tank, their are enough worms (brown, I dont think they are planaria) and random oddities floating around that I am a bit confused on how long this tank has been around.

[JMLenke]

Well a bit of research and I answered my own question..
<quote>Recently, on another forum, someone emailed me as to how she could find
some. I suggested she go to one of those mom and pop aquarium stores. That
is where I found mine. I told her that these snails are able to withstand
long periods of time in a dry environment because there have been instances
where dried out, old gravel reused in a tank, would suddenly sprout these
snails.</quote>
http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/m ... 00294.html

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

To rid substrate of MTS - boil it.

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Heck - leave it outside for a few days when the temps are below freezing.
That should kill off those buggers!

[JMLenke]

I like em, I prefer them over pond snails.

It may because there is a minimal amount of mulm but they are just sitting in the clado and appear to be eating it.

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

You want some more MTS? Come get all you can from the 215.

[RTRJR]

I could probably provide another few hundred if you are willing to come over 2-4AM...

Bring single malt - i hold the flashlight in one hand and the Scotch in the other, you collect...