Cleaning/New tank

[bronwen]

I am eagerly awaiting the delivery of two new snail tanks today and have been thinking for days as to how I will set them up with cork bark etc.
As I watched some of the snails creep off to sleep this morning I suddenly thought... is there a good time of day/night to clean or move snails to a new tank?
My two fulicas are often awake during the day and usually wake up easily and happily with a light spray of water so I don't think it would bother them. They don't burrow into the substrate and sleep in a flower pot or just wherever they are!
My A marginata ovum on the other hand bury themselves well into the substrate and are much more shy and timid. I thought I would just dig them out of the old and place them in the new tank and cover them lightly with moss? But then... imagine going to sleep and then waking up to a completely different environment... I don't want to freak them out! lol

I just wondered if there is a 'good' way to move them?!

[pinkunicorn]

I've never noticed snails stressed due to changed tank. On the opposite, they enjoy the changes and explore stuff.

[aimee]

You could put them in a bag and spin them around your head whilst cleaning them out and they'd be no worse for wear. Just make sure they are damp and comfortable and you can clean them out any time x

[vallery]

Whenever I clean out my tanks my snails always go to the top for a few days but eventually the come down.

I think this is common for most snails maybe not all. But mine are always fine they just need a little time in a new environment they always come back down.

I make sure I give them their misting even though the are at the top for a while.

I know there is a thread on here somewhere, where coyote explained the behavior of new tanks or cleaning out tanks and snails going to the top for a bit. That is how I found out about this.

[bronwen]

Thanks for your replies... I think I had a mad panic over nothing... lol!
Aimee... I don't think the fulicas would mind that but the margies might! hehe

On the subject of cleaning though... if you use sphagnum moss in your tanks do you throw it away or wash it and use it again? I am tempted just to wash and re-use as it looks quite healthy still. (I'm a newbie... )

[vallery]

It may be a good Idea if when you wash it bake it after to sterilize it, for a bit them, wet it again after. Works with mine. But I have different snails then you, but it works with all the different types of snails I have. Even with forest moss this works for me.

[pinkunicorn]

I wash the moss and then I put it in a container and place the container on top of a heater, which will dry it and hopefully kill the bacteria in it somewhat. I've not sterilised sphagnum moss like I do soil in the oven or microwave as I'm not sure if it's alive or not, as it is a plant. The lower temperature drying seems to work just fine though. It remoistens nicely when sprayed in the tank.

[vallery]

Yes I always wash mine first then I bake mine on very low for a short while, as I do with leaves and sticks and bark, so they don't get to crispy.

They always seem to bounce back after a good spring water spray.

I use only spring water as tap water will harm the shells of snails and harm sluggies. I have city water no well.

If you don't want to use spring water you can set out a jug of tap water and let it sit for a few days so the chlorine comes out.

But always a chance of bacteria if you have a well.

I collect rain water for my outdoor snail sanctuary and compost heap.

I also noticed how the moss on my lawn would dry right out in a heat bought then spring back after some good rain. So it does the same with baking my stuff on low for awhile.

Weeks ago I found a perfectly round piece of moss, only the size of a quarter, kept it for myself it was so cool. I forgot to water it several times and each time I did it bounced right back.

[pinkunicorn]

Ah good to know it tolerates oven. My leatherleaves have sphagnum in their tank as they looooove to burrow and dig tunnels to sleep in, but they also poop into it. Since they poop long, straight strings they are not fun to clean up!

I also use spring water for snails, only occasionally tap water. There's cocaine residue among other drugs and medicines in my city's water and whilst it's perfectly good drinking water according to officials I rather expose snailies to it as little as possible. My snails often get sprayed with Evian, lol! It's quite a bit cheaper here than in the US and not really a luxury product at all unlike certain celebrities bathing in it would suggest.

[malacophile]

Jan 4, 2013 0:24:20 GMT vallery said:

If you don't want to use spring water you can set out a jug of tap water and let it sit for a few days so the chlorine comes out.

Unfortunately, this only works if the additive in your tap water is indeed chlorine. In some municipalities, they use chloramine, which does not evaporate or boil out of the water. You can find out which one you have by contacting your city's water supplier or someone at city hall. However, I think that you should be able to use a water dechlorinator made for fish tanks, as these typically remove chloramine and chlorine both.

It's probably still a better idea to use distilled, spring or rain water, though.

[vallery]

Mark my words!

Take malacophile seriously. Thank You malacophile for letting us know that . It is very important.
I myself count only on spring water.

vallery