cappillary matting question

[Deleted]

do you use one layer or fold it over to have a double layer?

[section8angel]

I use one layer

[deadmansfinger]

one layer also. ;D

[Deleted]

ok thats cheaper thanks ;D

[sezzy5889]

one layer

[Ben snail]

Where do you get it from?

[sezzy5889]

i got mine from B&Q in the seedling area ;D

[Moracai]

one layer,
bought at local garden center.
Some have packages of cut sheets, some sell it off a huge roll that you tell them how much you want and they cut it off the roll.

[section8angel]

I bought the stuff off the roll first and it was crap. I then bought the pack of stuff that's white one side, green the other and it's great. Comes with plastic for something or other and then some other bits and bobs. I've actually used some of the plastic in the big tank to try and stop the poo sneaking underneath the matting in the places it doesn't lie flat lol.
I've seen the packs I got in most garden centers, I got mine from focus (do it all) though.
The garden center I got the roll stuff from is now selling big packs too but it's still the crap stuff! lol

[Deleted]

Oh I have another question.

could I use cappillary matting as a substrate for a tank with 3 adult fulicas and 2 juvenile fulicas???

[sezzy5889]

why not?

[Deleted]

well i dunno i thought it was more of a thing for baby/juvenile snails...

[Moracai]

All my fulica are on capillary matting with a handful of moss in the corner over the heat mat. But then they are all still young, probably about 6 to 7 months old, except for Winnie, I have no idea of her age, but know she is older.

[sezzy5889]

all of my snails are on capillary matting even the fully grown margies and tigers, they have a large pool and a large pot of soil for laying and burrowing

[Deleted]

but the soil wud make everything messy i thought the whole point was to make it clean and lovely.

oh now u got me worried cus i just converted the juvenile african snail tank to matting and a few of them like to burrow...

well then fulicas dont burrow i'll put them on matting tonight....maybe the margies wud like it too...

does matting make it more humid than coir?

[sezzy5889]

i don't know cuz i never used coir,
well i read that snails need to consume a small amount of dirt (not coir) as it's quite important so i provide some, it also encourages laying, i use a deep pot only half full so it makes it harder for the snails to knock all the dirt out,
The only problem with capillary matting is that when it gets dirty it 'stinks' although it doesn't take long just to take it outside, hose it down, soak in boiling water and hose again, then it comes out lush again :-)
It never dries out even when you don't spray it or anything pretty good...

[Deleted]

consume? yuck
my baby rodatzi never consume dirt

anyway another problem is that if u put lettuce on it it sort of rots away

[Moracai]

I put all the food into shallow dishes on the matting, makes cleanup easier. Once a week during clean out i just wash the matting in hot water in the sink and it doesn't smell.
My margies were on matting, but moved them to soil 2 weeks ago, and they laid eggs. So i definately think they need soil for eggs.

[Deleted]

i ended up putting my margies on matting but not fulica. i know it wud discourage the margies from laying eggs but when they do lay eggs they dont hatch and its too dissapointing

[section8angel]

All of my snails are on matting with moss thrown everywhere and a tub of moss for hiding/laying in, there's also a big amount of moss in the flowerpots.
I've not yet had the matting smell, I only have to wash mine every month or so and it's fine. Maybe it's something to do with the food we feed them or how often? I also put the food in bowls.

My margies have laid and they don't have soil they just have moss. It might be that they need "something" there though? Whether it be moss/soil/leaves/coir/whatever. My fulica however don't care and laid straight on the matting lol.

It might only discourage them if there's nothing for them to hide the eggs in Mike. Sorry they're not hatching for you I hope you have more luck with any others you get.

Just shove a load of moss or leaves in with the ones that like to burrow if you don't want to put a tub of soil/coir in. All mine are fine burrowing in just moss.

[Deleted]

ok i'll get some moss

[Val]

Yes I agree with the others, matting & moss will suit them fine Putting food on plates or in bowls will help a lot in keeping it clean. Go for it Mike ;D

Val

[Deleted]

i gave them little plates. its so cute watching them eat off them. i have yet to get moss tho...