latebloomer
Achatina immaculata
The Snail Botherer
Posts: 251
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Post by latebloomer on Dec 6, 2011 12:49:58 GMT
I needed a new tank as my juvenile fulicas are growing at an astonishing rate. On passing the local charity shop I saw a plastic hamster home. After a few minor modifications and a heatmat, it does its temporary job fine, and there is a bit more floorspace than in a custom tank  |
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Post by axoloa on Dec 6, 2011 16:59:49 GMT
Lol and hears me thinking I was the only person who does this  Im sure it will do just fine (even on a perminent basis). I keep my Fulica species in plastic 2ft x 1ft x 1ft rodent home on a perminent Basis Then again my room is very warm because of all the heat mats and reptile enclosures. Mine are very happy though and constantly lay eggs One thing i would advise though (especialy if you do make it perminent). If were talking about the same hampster home then im asuming it has a metal bar door on top? If so then cover the metal bar door with tape or a plastic bag. the snail will likely try to crawl upside down on it and it will just fall right off as soon as it leaves the plastic..... |
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latebloomer
Achatina immaculata
The Snail Botherer
Posts: 251
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Post by latebloomer on Dec 8, 2011 12:03:19 GMT
Its a hibitrail, there is no metal but the plastic lid is a slide along opening, which means a very careful check in case one of them is hanging underneath. I have looked everywhere for bigger plastic terrariums, but no luck. Glass is too heavy, and storage boxes are not easy to heat even after all that drilling and trimming.
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foghog
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 235
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Post by foghog on Dec 8, 2011 14:06:23 GMT
the problem with habitrails, which I actually tried also for a short period of time many years ago, is when they get dirty, they are harder to clean. course you get to decide what type of setup with the tubes you have of course.
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Post by axoloa on Dec 9, 2011 3:47:31 GMT
ahh well im thinking of a totaly different hamster home then the kind i use (and what i thought we were talking about) is this  I use this for Fulica, I have 4 of them set up (just the tank, non of the interior) |
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latebloomer
Achatina immaculata
The Snail Botherer
Posts: 251
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Post by latebloomer on Dec 15, 2011 12:15:09 GMT
I did look at that type when I was in the pet supermarket. Why oh why does nobody sell bigger versions of the curve e keeper or something like that or bigger strong plastic fish tanks? There needs to be a big enough flat surface for the heatmat to fit, that part is the problem for me.
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Post by doris2010 on Dec 15, 2011 13:34:16 GMT
Why not use storage boxes, I do and my snails love it! It is 30 x 20 x20 inches. I have a heatmat on the side. The box also has wheels so its easy to move around.
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Dec 30, 2011 1:00:18 GMT
Possibly. But very slowly.  |
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Post by axoloa on Dec 30, 2011 4:01:20 GMT
haha, of course it would but very slowly like coyote said XD I doubt a snail would know what it was doing though like a hamster does, so it would most likely just be coinsidental if it did decide to have a go |
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rosiesnail2
Achatina immaculata
3 Albino Achatina Reticulata on sale with tank ♥️
Posts: 242
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Post by rosiesnail2 on Dec 30, 2011 21:07:45 GMT
Lol XD yes it would be rather slow, I wonder what would happen if my snail got on one. s/he may end up confused and wheeling for hours!
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rosiesnail2
Achatina immaculata
3 Albino Achatina Reticulata on sale with tank ♥️
Posts: 242
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Post by rosiesnail2 on Dec 30, 2011 21:09:12 GMT
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Dec 31, 2011 3:25:57 GMT
That looks like a big handsome Otala lactea to me. Lovely snail, cute video. |
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latebloomer
Achatina immaculata
The Snail Botherer
Posts: 251
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Post by latebloomer on Jan 3, 2012 14:49:31 GMT
I dont get on the forum so often now, blackberry packed in. I am using a storage box for my tigers, but finding one clear, good clear clip on lid, and deep enough to hold a 28cm square heatmat and allowing for a deeper substrate has not been easy. It needs to have a flat side with no indentations to hold the heatmat too. I find they dont hold the heat very well, even with insulation, drilling etc.
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Post by janedryad on Mar 19, 2012 20:16:39 GMT
I've got a couple of larger versions of the hamster house for my snails (plus one hamster house for the smaller ones). They're actually supposed to be indoor rabbit and guinea pig enclosures, but there's no way I'd keep those pets in there! They're the same design as the hamster house but about a metre long by half a metre wide. The heat pads are a problem though. I use oblong ones with cardboard/bubble wrap/polystyrene behind them to hold them snug against the tank.
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Post by PennyFarthing on Mar 19, 2012 20:37:10 GMT
What make are they, Jane, and where did you get them?
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latebloomer
Achatina immaculata
The Snail Botherer
Posts: 251
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Post by latebloomer on Mar 20, 2012 10:51:04 GMT
I have looked all over the place for bigger rigid plastic enclosures, and would love to hear of anything suitable. Getting suitable lids for the glass tanks is also a pain. I have heard of the clearseal lids, but would have to see them first to decide and would need to put something on top probably.
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Post by ness on Mar 21, 2012 22:44:05 GMT
I have looked all over the place for bigger rigid plastic enclosures, and would love to hear of anything suitable. Getting suitable lids for the glass tanks is also a pain. I have heard of the clearseal lids, but would have to see them first to decide and would need to put something on top probably. I use correx (it's a plastic version of corrugated cardboard) for my glass tank lids. Being as it's plastic it's easy to wipe clean, and you can shape it as easily as shaping cardboard. You can buy sheets of it online for a few ££s |
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latebloomer
Achatina immaculata
The Snail Botherer
Posts: 251
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Post by latebloomer on Mar 22, 2012 12:25:53 GMT
Thanks Ness, another problem solved!
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Post by PennyFarthing on Aug 30, 2012 20:26:58 GMT
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Post by PennyFarthing on Aug 31, 2012 10:30:49 GMT
I couldn't find anything better within my budget  but the reviewers on Amazon say that they're good, so fingers crossed... The floor size is a huge improvement on the ones that I was looking at in the local pet shop, anyway. |
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Post by graemepryce on Aug 31, 2012 18:17:39 GMT
I can never understand anyone using storage boxes! As anyone who has seen the pic of my main tank can see mine is set up to be an attractive element in my front room. If I was just going to keep my snails in a big plastic box I don't think I'd get any pleasure out of them because I couldn't watch them go about their slimy business!
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Post by PennyFarthing on Aug 31, 2012 18:27:45 GMT
I agree with you, but I also know how difficult it is to get something as big that is clear, Graeme. If I had to choose between giving my snails the space that they needed and being able to view them properly, the snails' needs would definitely win!
I just hope that the tanks that I've just purchased are suitable. But anything will be a vast improvement on the things they've lived in since they were juveniles!
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Post by graemepryce on Aug 31, 2012 21:39:09 GMT
Yeah, I didn't mean to sound flippant. Of course the wellbeing of the snails is the main focus but if you have them in something you can't see into then your only likely to spot any problems in the few minutes a day you do have them open. It's easy for me to say that though because my tank is in my front room so I can see what they are up to all the time.
There is a make of clear plastic tanks called 'tankbuddies' or something similar who make moulded plastic vivariums with good ventilation that I would recommend. They are probably cheaper than storage boxes but not as big. I think I'd rather split the colonies I have than have them all in a storage box.
I have a small one that has discus rotunds and Kentish snails and baby Cepaeas.
A larger one that is for adult Cepaeas.
The biggest size they do ( still a bit cramped for more than one GALS though ) which is empty at the moment but I have been in contact with another cool snail-lover about getting some Helix Pomatia - They will live in this one I think.
My main glass tank has 1 Reticulata, 1 Jade Fulica, 1 Iredalia, 3 P.Isobella and 4 C,Nemoralis. They all seem very happy.
I think the little chaps help keep the tank clean as I have seen them eating the GALS droppings lots of times and while it is a bit gross, it is kind of helpful! I don't worry too much about overcrowding because whenever snails are seen wild, of any kind they seem to always be in quite close quarters!
Sorry to go on anyway - once I get started . . . . . lol
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Post by PennyFarthing on Aug 31, 2012 22:25:10 GMT
You made some very good points, there. I didn't think you were being flippant, but I didn't quite know how to respond. |
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Im sure it will do just fine (even on a perminent basis). I keep my Fulica species in plastic 2ft x 1ft x 1ft rodent home on a perminent Basis 
but the reviewers on Amazon say that they're good, so fingers crossed... The floor size is a huge improvement on the ones that I was looking at in the local pet shop, anyway.