Starting a setup?

[cepealove]

Im getting my fulicas saturday and curious as to what substrate and moss should be put in with them? How deep should the substrate be? And what stones and woods are suitable? And what artificial plants are best(plastic.etc.)

[Paul]

I like loam, mixed with potting soil but there are many alternatives:

www.petsnails.co.uk/care/substrate.html

The consensus is that 4 inches deep is about right for fulica. I think that they should be able to completely bury themselves with room to spare at a minimum.

I'd stay away from stones and rocks, there's no point having the risk of them breaking their shell from a fall. Most wood is suitable but it starts to rot in tanks so have a look at cork bark.

Any plants are fine, I would suggest trailing ones for cover and thick, sturdy ones for them to climb around and over. If you get flimsy ones they'll just bulldozer them.

[crossless]

But i think with really huge snails you need to have flimsy plants because plant collapses before snail can even climb to it. I would be so sad if my two huge over 200grams weigh snails would hurt them selves because wrong kind of plant choice. There's not too much plants that can hold really huge snails like a achatina or bigger. With tiny snails you can use any plant of your choice because they are so light weigh. I like the banana plant best but it grows so fast that I would need to think how to get it stay really nice in tank with out replacing with other plant all the time.

[Paul]

I agree, I just think what's the point of having flimsy plants that get trampled? Since they're artificial and don't have any benefit to air circulation or purification I'd just not bother. They're not gonna improve the decor because they'll be knocked over in the substrate.

[cepealove]

Right got some loam and untreated soil, still looking into plants... What about plant pots? And a 2ft x 1ft tank is this ok for two 1'5inch snails and a few babys? Xx

[Paul]

I have a couple of plastic plant pots that I tip over and kind of half bury - they make great hiding places and the snails lover them.

Regarding tank size, I'd always suggest you get the biggest tank you can manage for them. A 2x1 foot tank should be fine for 2 adult fulica and a few babies.

[cepealove]

Well i say tank its a storage box but all the same, just alot safer on the boat and easy 2 stack. Where can i get some moss? X

[louize1986]

Moss can be found in your local woods, or can buy online ( ebay ) etc etc.

And yeah also known good substrate is cocco coir blocks ( bought from ebay )

hope this helps, also has said above is fine substrate too, everyone to what they prefer really.


cheers

[cepealove]

Do they need a water bowl? X

[Bumblebee]

Well they maybe dont need a bowl of water, but it is appreciated, I do find my 6 guys once in a while crawling through the water, and they can sometimes even sleep in it lol
Its just very important that it is shallow so they dont risk drowning. So make sure that the water never reach their breathing hole in the shell.
With really small babies, i would skip the waterdish, till they are a bit bigger.

[cepealove]

Hmm theyre roughly 1.5 inch and hatchlings so ill wait 2 put the dish in.
Is their a certain amount of moss? Iv got half substrate half moss coverage x

[coyote]

Someone (I forgot who) on this forum had the idea of putting marbles in the water dish. That way even if a snail crawled into the dish, the marbles would keep it from drowning, and it could still access the moisture.

[crossless]

Marbles are still quite hard if snail is heavy or drops down in bad angle. Hard objects can really easily snap new growth away. In some pet shops you can buy some moisture holding gel that is used for reptiles food insect avoiding that way drowning. It cost lot but would be cool to try it. I usually with smaller species spray food dish with little water so they can find food and water from same place. I think water drops in wall is enough for babies. I usually put water dish for over 3,5cm shell length babies just little lid from old baby food jar.

And with really tiny snails I use as water dish some plate that has been before ice cream cakes plate in packet. It can't hold many millimetres of water so safe to use.

[cepealove]

The tank has condensed so think theylle be ok. X i wil post pics when they arive. Could i plant a lettace plant in there?

[crossless]

Yes you can but lettuce don't have much nutriment in it so I would not give salad to snails because afican land snails needs loads of energy to grow and stay healthy. Salad is 95% water. Or if you like u can keep it there and take it away if snails like it too much and don't eat food that you are currently serving.

[cepealove]

What are the most nutritious foods for GALs?

[lee2211]

Sweet potatoe, snail mixes, seeds ect.
I think you should plant a lettuce, they'll eat the shoots before it grows properly anyway.
I feed mine marrow, and courgette, and sweet potato, and peppers, as long as you vary it, and give a good source of protein and make mixes every once in a while they'll be fine.

[cepealove]

Thankyou all so much, i hope other new members find this helpfull and feel free 2 post in here x

[lee2211]

Moved due to being in the wrong area

[cherryblossom]

this is very helpful as I am currently setting up a home for a GAL. Thank you