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Post by sunshinesj on Feb 11, 2010 13:37:04 GMT
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Feb 11, 2010 19:50:02 GMT
I don't know if a high phosphate content is ok for snails or not. I hope someone else here can answer that.
I do know that in humans, calcium and phosphate react in opposite ways: as one rises, the other falls. Too much phosphate can displace calcium in humans, but I have no idea if this is true for snails as well.
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ter153
Achatina achatina
Posts: 62 
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Post by ter153 on Feb 11, 2010 20:43:49 GMT
hi, im using organic compost for my snails,so i know theres no chemicals or anything bad in it,i think some composts arent very good for snails,but some of the more experienced snail keepers here will advise you  |
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aerliss
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 281
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Post by aerliss on Feb 13, 2010 18:51:58 GMT
Bone, teeth, chitin and I assume snail shells are made from calcium phosphate, so phosphates in various forms are beneficial.
However, some pesticides use iron phosphate as it causes slugs and snails to stop eating and breaks down their innards (nasty). It's also used as a fertiliser so I'd be very wary of using that soil if you don't know what phosphates are in it.
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Feb 13, 2010 23:18:57 GMT
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aerliss
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 281
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Post by aerliss on Feb 14, 2010 0:17:02 GMT
Interesting that bones, teeth and chitin (exo-skeletons) are made of a slightly different substance.
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Feb 14, 2010 21:10:30 GMT
They perform slightly different functions. Nature knows how to use the best materials for the particular job. |
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Post by Hannah-Bird on Mar 7, 2010 8:51:11 GMT
I have a similar question regarding substrate. I've just bought some that was marketed for hermit crabs at my local pet store; it says it contains coconut fiber. It looks to be of a suitable consistency and it holds moisture well, but I wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something horribly wrong by using it for my snails. Thanks! |
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Mar 7, 2010 19:39:50 GMT
Does it contain anything else besides coconut fiber? If not, then it is fine to use. I use coir (coconut fiber) in my tanks.
If it contains something else, then it depends on what the other stuff is.
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Post by Hannah-Bird on Mar 9, 2010 9:25:10 GMT
Oh, lol, well now I feel dumb. Yes, it's just coconut fiber. I never saw coconut fiber and coir listed as the same thing. Thanks for your help!
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Mar 9, 2010 20:18:36 GMT
No need to feel dumb. I had to read the fine print on the coir package to see it was coconut fiber. |
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aerliss
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 281
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Post by aerliss on Mar 12, 2010 0:42:01 GMT
Same here; didn't know what coir was till I did some digging. So you're not alone XD
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Post by crossless on Mar 12, 2010 1:36:09 GMT
I did know what is it, but I took long me to find English word for it.  |
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coyote
Archachatina papyracea
Cochleas ego amo
Posts: 2,955
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Post by coyote on Mar 12, 2010 19:37:14 GMT
I had never seen the word coir before I found this forum. I understand it is also used in potting mixes for orchids as well.
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danikat
Achatina achatina
Posts: 85
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Post by danikat on Mar 17, 2010 23:27:57 GMT
Seems I got lucky. First time I saw coir mentioned it was on a snail site comparing different substrates and told me exactly what it was. ;D
Then I found out my mum uses it for some of her plants anyway.
Biggest advantage for me is buying it in compressed blocks means it can be posted relatively cheaply in large amounts and I don't have to carry it (no car). But it seems to be an excellent substrate for the snails as well, maybe a little scratchy but otherwise perfect.
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