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Post by nailvarnish on Jan 3, 2016 17:48:25 GMT
So today I decided to go find my old aquarium that I used once probably in 2008, It came with a filteration system but after many attempts it turned out that the water pump had broken somewhere along the past 8 years (2008 does not feel like 8 years ago!). I decided to go for a forest inspired look and after looking at many pictures on pinterest I had a good idea in my head on what I wanted in the once aquarium. I collected about 3L worth of organic compost (the 2 take-away tubs were obviously not enough), a few pieces of wood and about every bit of moss that I could find before sterilizing them all and making sure they were all clean of any nasty hitch-hikers. After everything was set out I poured in all the compost into the terrarium and got it to about 2" (give or take) deep, this means that if I do decide to put any snails in it then it'll be sufficient enough for laying and burrowing. Once that was done I sorted out how much of the wood and moss I would be using and began arranging it all. In my opinion it's still not complete and there's a lot that I would like to add in to this terrarium such as some ferns and more moss to cover up any random patches of soil showing through. If any of you know some good plants that do well in the same conditions as moss then please feel free to suggest any that you think would be a nice addition!
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Post by MaxPower on Jan 6, 2016 0:07:29 GMT
That looks awesome, I wish I was as artistic
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Post by astana on Jan 18, 2016 3:49:04 GMT
Lovely setup! Your snails must be happy about this : )
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Post by pilsburypie on Jan 22, 2016 20:09:47 GMT
Very nice - out of interest, how did you sterilize the wood and moss? I'd guess a kettle of boiling water on the wood, but the moss?
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Post by etana on Jan 23, 2016 10:41:47 GMT
When I add any types of moss or plant seeds in my tank, when my snail goes under he seems to get trapped and hibernates? Or is he doing it on purpose? Because he only goes to sleep for a longer time and had a dry seal when there's moss or grass. Yes snails seal in on purpose, in the winter they hibernate (if locally wild-caught) and during other times, they aestivate - looks similar, seal and all, they do it just to have a deeper rest or to survive something. Which snail species are you talking about?
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Post by Liguus on Jan 24, 2016 15:27:44 GMT
Yes, Zachrysia love to bury themselves under the soil. They will spend a fair amount of time there.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2016 22:28:59 GMT
I like it! Looks very real
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Cow
Achatina achatina
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Post by Cow on Feb 25, 2016 16:37:07 GMT
Thats looks nice, They must be happy there!
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Post by nailvarnish on Mar 28, 2016 19:46:11 GMT
Thank you all, I've added some more moss although it doesn't seem to be doing too well at the moment but i'll have to wait and see. Very nice - out of interest, how did you sterilize the wood and moss? I'd guess a kettle of boiling water on the wood, but the moss? For the wood I used boiling water and for the moss I thoroughly rinsed it multiple times to get rid of any debris so only moss was left and then soaked it over a few nights to draw out any tiny bugs still in there, although I'm sure a few would have survived but since I collected this moss from the same area my snails are from I don't think there's any high risks from using it.
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Post by simplement on Apr 9, 2016 11:17:26 GMT
Great little terrarium ! I think to use various natural materials is important to improve maintenance conditions of our snails, for they feel good, with interesting home. I have two comments : - careful to leave a large part of the substrate uncovered, because when too much surface is covered with foam, is not enough air and becomes too wet. - it is not necessary to boil natural materials or seek to disinfect. No wild insect can cause domage to our snails. The only essential thing is to be careful not to bring wild snail or wild slug to our healthy snails, because they can be shared with Riccardoella Limacum - in french : "l'acarien des limaces" (mite slugs ?). It's the only mite that can be harmful for our snails, and it transmits only a gastropod to another, not by the environment. Note that some mites are natural predators of Riccardoella Limacum. Last year on a francophon forum which I participate, a member has experimented with placing an contaminated snails by Riccardoella Limacum in a box very rich in natural elements and micro-life (garden plants, leaves, foam and wood from forest, forest humus with various mites, wild insects...) to eliminate parasites of this snail. It was very interesting. The other parasites harmful for our snails are intestinal worms, but again the transmission is only between an gastropod infected and other, not by environment or wild bugs. Natural elements are not harmful for our snails, it unnecessary to sanitize their environment.
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Post by nailvarnish on Apr 9, 2016 22:15:01 GMT
Thank you simplement ! I didn't know that about needing some uncovered substrate, would there still have to be a patch of uncovered substrate if there was a drainage layer present so any excess water could drain away from the soil? I was wondering about native snails and how sterilised their terrarium should be, but the only information I could find was about having to sterilise everything that would go into their terrarium if it came from outside. I'm not fussed about tiny bugs, I'm mostly focused on making sure there are no nasty mites as I've had one too many infestations in the past which were a nightmare to clear up .
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Post by simplement on Apr 12, 2016 8:47:15 GMT
Hello ! I tested with a drainage layer but it does not replace the natural evaporation which cleans the substrate (clean, or sanitize ? I search the right word, sorry i'm french). About my snails, drainage layer with expanded clay pebbles is not adapted for large snails, because they dig.
In the past you got an infestation of mites, or little bugs as springtails ? Springtails aren't dangerous for snails, but when they are too many it is not very nice in the tank.
Since we are talking about commensal, have some earthworms in the tank is a good way to help to keep healthy (salubrious ?) substrate.
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