Kevin
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Post by Kevin on Jul 20, 2005 16:11:19 GMT
I posted this on the applesnail forum this morning but havent got any replies so I will try posting here:
I have been thinking about getting Apple Snails, maybe the giant ones, Cana? and/or red ruby nerite snails that Ive seen recently
I will get a suitable aquarium first, maybe next week if I decide that I can keep them...
But what do I need altogether to keep them?
What equipment do they need? -a tropical heater, filter and pump?
How big a tank? -Can they be kept on theyre own? Or mixed species, what base covering? decorations etc...
What water conditioners and foods? -What must they have access to, to develop a strong shell etc?
Any Help appreciated
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Post by Paul on Jul 20, 2005 16:21:39 GMT
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Post by fatslug on Jul 20, 2005 16:22:26 GMT
I kept and bred apple snails in a mixed community tropical fish tank. Provided they could get out of the water to lay their eggs, and that there were no fish to harrass them, they were easy. They were particularly fond of catfish tablets, and cucumber slices that were put in for the Ancistrus. Provided that you have hard, alkaline water conditions, there are few problems with them, but soft acid water can cause trouble with shell erosion.
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Post by Paul on Jul 20, 2005 16:27:29 GMT
Ignore my applesnail.net comment, just realised you'd already tried it. Try the other one, they'll definitely help you out.
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Kevin
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Post by Kevin on Jul 20, 2005 16:28:09 GMT
I posted on the snails2die4 site this morning, maybe I should have waited longer for a response? I will check the other link you gave me as well, Thanks! Fatslug, how could I get the water conditions hard and alkaline? is there treatments available for this?
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Kevin
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Post by Kevin on Jul 20, 2005 16:30:21 GMT
Ignore my applesnail.net comment, just realised you'd already tried it. Try the other one, they'll definitely help you out. I thought the only applesnail site was snails2die4? Thats the site I meant in my first post, though I do remember seeing applesnail.net somewhere and must have forgot it
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Post by Paul on Jul 20, 2005 16:34:33 GMT
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Kevin
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Post by Kevin on Jul 20, 2005 16:48:19 GMT
Thanks thats a great help, I added it to my favourites Apple Snails sound very easy to care for, I think I will get these ones www.applesnail.net/content/species/pomacea_canaliculata.htmThe pomacea canaliculata, I'll get the equipment and everything first in the next few weeks and then get a pair of them, to be kept on they're own.
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Post by fatslug on Jul 20, 2005 16:49:11 GMT
You can use some coral sand in the substate, and Tufa or similar, (used for marine aquaria). Crushed cockle shells are also useful, and can be found in garden centres as a surface mulch for the garden, (be sure to wash them really well!) This will have the effect of hardening and buffering the water.
Just fixed the bb code - paul
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Post by Paul on Jul 20, 2005 17:05:54 GMT
Before you decide they are easy to care for I'd get the opinions of a few owners who also own land snails, they'll tell you the difference. Emma, where are you?
I'm just saying this coz I've heard people remarking that they are more difficult or time-consuming than they expected but I suppose that is true of any pet really. I'm not saying they're difficult particularly but it'd defo be worth getting the skinny on it.
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Kevin
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Post by Kevin on Jul 20, 2005 17:15:35 GMT
Before you decide they are easy to care for I'd get the opinions of a few owners who also own land snails, they'll tell you the difference. Emma, where are you? I'm just saying this coz I've heard people remarking that they are more difficult or time-consuming than they expected but I suppose that is true of any pet really. I'm not saying they're difficult particularly but it'd defo be worth getting the skinny on it. I wont rush into getting them, I'll make sure im prepared properly first...Im expecting them to be more difficult than Land Snails, with all the water requirements and such, but I should be ok, ive kept other animals thats been given the tag of "difficult" and had success...
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Post by fatslug on Jul 20, 2005 17:19:17 GMT
Hi Paul, what's the bb code?
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Post by Paul on Jul 20, 2005 17:24:06 GMT
just the things like quote, bold etc. For some reason the opening tag was missing so the quote feature wasn't working. I always try to leave a note of any mods I do, coz I don't want people thinking I'm censoring or messing with posts
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Post by fatslug on Jul 20, 2005 17:26:20 GMT
Thank you
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Val
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Post by Val on Jul 20, 2005 19:27:11 GMT
Hi panda, I keep both apple snails and land snails and the apple snails are definitely more time consuming than the land type. It is a LOT quicker replacing some substrate than it is doing water changes and making sure the water is the right temp, etc., You can buy a kit to test the pH of your water it may already be hard enough but if not then you can use aragonite coral sand as a substrate and also add liquid calcium - that should definitely do the trick ;D. Tank temp. should be about 78F. If you need to know anything else I would be glad to help.........just ask!!
Val x
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Kevin
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Post by Kevin on Jul 20, 2005 22:25:21 GMT
Hi panda, I keep both apple snails and land snails and the apple snails are definitely more time consuming than the land type. It is a LOT quicker replacing some substrate than it is doing water changes and making sure the water is the right temp, etc., You can buy a kit to test the pH of your water it may already be hard enough but if not then you can use aragonite coral sand as a substrate and also add liquid calcium - that should definitely do the trick ;D. Tank temp. should be about 78F. If you need to know anything else I would be glad to help.........just ask!! Val x Where can I find aragonite coral sand as a substrate? Is it sold in aquarium stores? also Would I need a heater to heat to 78f? Im thinking of getting the Giant Cana ones, would you recommend this species? Have you got these ones? Thanks!
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Val
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Post by Val on Jul 21, 2005 18:59:23 GMT
Yes you can get aragonite coral sand in most aquatic shops, I think Darren at snails2die4 also keeps this but obviously you would have to pay the postage. How hard is your water? Have you measured it? it may be O.K. already - mine was, it read 7.5 which is fine. Yes you will need a heater to heat the water, and also a filter of some kind I use a small fluval. What size tank are you going to use and how many snails are you putting in it? I have canas. they don't grow quite as large as people tend to say they will, important thing is not to overstock your tank otherwise you will have to keep doing water changes to keep on top of the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate. Hope this helps
Val x
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Kevin
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Post by Kevin on Jul 21, 2005 21:04:44 GMT
Yes you can get aragonite coral sand in most aquatic shops, I think Darren at snails2die4 also keeps this but obviously you would have to pay the postage. How hard is your water? Have you measured it? it may be O.K. already - mine was, it read 7.5 which is fine. Yes you will need a heater to heat the water, and also a filter of some kind I use a small fluval. What size tank are you going to use and how many snails are you putting in it? I have canas. they don't grow quite as large as people tend to say they will, important thing is not to overstock your tank otherwise you will have to keep doing water changes to keep on top of the ammonia/nitrite/nitrate. Hope this helps Val x I am hopefully getting a 4ft glass tank next week for them and will be getting everything ready for them in the next few weeks before buying the snails...Im not sure how many I want yet? could I mix species? Ive seen red nerite snails on ebay for sale, what are these like to keep? could I mix these with cana's?
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Post by natrat84 on Jul 22, 2005 4:18:01 GMT
I think I am glad I can't keep these... Sound hard work lol. I like pets that if you haven't got much time, 5 minutes to throw some food at them is sufficient Thats the trouble with kids I guess, I used to have alot more pets than I have now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2005 7:52:25 GMT
my apple snails came today. awww they have such pretty shells. the most beautiful freshwater snails i have seen. theyre really slow to come out though.
kind regards
mike
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Post by natrat84 on Jul 22, 2005 9:32:20 GMT
Hiya Mike Glad to hear your apple snails arrived, you certainly sound pleased with them Let us know how they get on Nat
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Val
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Post by Val on Jul 22, 2005 15:28:25 GMT
Hi Kevin, Yes you can mix the species no problem at all. Don't foget when you fill the tank to leave about 2 - 3" without water as these snails lay their eggs ABOVE the water line. They also produce ammonia - the same as fish, so until the tank is 'cycled' it's best to just have a few. Nerites lay their eggs IN the water so you have to watch out for them and remove them otherwise you will be over-run with snails.
Val
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Val
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Post by Val on Jul 25, 2005 15:36:02 GMT
Just thought you might like to see a pic. of my applesnail tank. As you can see I use plastic plants for effect but the snails like climbing/hanging on them. Val x
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Post by anjieburdett on Jul 26, 2005 14:33:33 GMT
That looks really nice Val. I went to chatham today to get some rabbit food and came home with my very first pair of orangey/yellow coloured applesnails!! Aww they're really cute!
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Val
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Post by Val on Jul 26, 2005 15:05:40 GMT
The first of many!!!!!!!! ;D
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