Leah
Archachatina puylaerti
Do you want me to sit in the corner and rust, or just fall apart where I'm standing?
Posts: 1,261
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Post by Leah on Jun 25, 2005 13:09:42 GMT
Instead of buying peat for the snail tank I thought it would be good to start a compost heap. That way I'll have a free supply and I'll know exactly what is in it and that it's free of anything harmful, and its good for the environment. What do you think?
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Val
Archachatina dimidiata
Posts: 2,498
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Post by Val on Jun 25, 2005 17:33:56 GMT
I think it might have a lot of bugs in it, unless of course you are going to bake it in the oven first. I use coir, it's brilliant, cheap and sterile.
Val
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Post by natrat84 on Jun 25, 2005 17:36:48 GMT
I guess it would, but what about worms and smaller bugs. I am using the sphagnum moss and LOVE it. The snails really love burrowing in it and its clean, doesn't stick all over them like soil does, I haven't used coir though so don't know how that compares. Nat
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Leah
Archachatina puylaerti
Do you want me to sit in the corner and rust, or just fall apart where I'm standing?
Posts: 1,261
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Post by Leah on Jun 26, 2005 18:08:16 GMT
Well I can always bake it to get rid of bugs. I worry with buying it about chemicals and stuff. There shouldn't be to many bugs because it's in a sealed bin. The other stuffs expensive to.
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Arno
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,493
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Post by Arno on Jun 26, 2005 18:12:20 GMT
Nat,do you use only sphagnum?
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Post by natrat84 on Jun 26, 2005 18:19:25 GMT
I do, why? Oh god what am I doing wrong, is that bad???
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Post by Paul on Jun 26, 2005 19:04:41 GMT
I don't think there is any harm in using all sphagnum, as I mentioned a while back most people use it as an extra. But in my experience, they prefer the moss and most of them burrow in the soil very little. I mean, that is how I knew my dimidiata was laying eggs, because he was actually buried in the peat.
I don't know whether Arno knows a reason why it would be bad, I'd have thought it was safer because it is cleaner and not acidic like peat. I think perhaps he is more interested because you are the first (well that I know about) to just use moss. I suppose it just depends on your snails and whether they feel the need to burrow in soil. Like I said, mine go for the moss mostly. It'll be interesting to hear how they progress and if you experience any problems etc, it'd be nice to know.
Soil probably has the advantage of keeping the tank fresher, when they've defecated. There is varying opinions on the depth of soil needed and perhaps combining the two would mean you wouldn't need as deep a layer of soil, meaning less to have to sterilise etc. I find moss easy to clean.
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Post by natrat84 on Jun 26, 2005 19:50:12 GMT
Thanks Paul. I had a reply from Arno on pm, cos he didn't reply to me on the forum quick enough and I was worried I really like the moss, and I know its going to cost me more money. Its lovely and soft for them, it stays quite damp but not soaking, and they just ADORE burrowing in it. You were right btw, I have offered them plant pots but they aren't interested. They are spoilt snails ;D I keep looking at soil in places and just can't tell if its the right stuff or not. Most says it can feed seedlings for a few weeks etc which to me means it has something added to it even though it doesn't say what. If I start getting through alot of the moss I may look into buying it direct from somewhere if I can at a cheaper price, but will see how I go. Thanks alot for your reply Nat
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Arno
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,493
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Post by Arno on Jun 26, 2005 20:27:05 GMT
Yes Paul is right,I don't think its bad just to use moss,I was just curious how you liked it. So no worries there.
PS:did you get any new snails today,since you were going on that Petshop-tour?
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Post by natrat84 on Jun 26, 2005 20:28:51 GMT
See my post on general Arno About 'petshops'
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Arno
Archachatina puylaerti
Posts: 1,493
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Post by Arno on Jun 26, 2005 20:46:44 GMT
Oops sorry,sometimes i miss posts.....i check that one then
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Post by natrat84 on Jun 26, 2005 20:50:47 GMT
No problem Its so busy in here, I miss loads
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