pigpog
Achatina achatina
Posts: 45
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Post by pigpog on Dec 5, 2006 11:00:04 GMT
I have noticed that since moving my fulica into a bigger terrarium they have become less active than when they were in their smaller tank. There is a heatmat on and the temp is about 18.c I have tried raising the temp but can't seem to get it higher.
Anyway - the snails are staying burrowed for several days at a time (could this be because I spoilt them and they have about 5" of soil to hide in) or are they keeping out of the way because they are cold?
I have taken to moving them every few days and putting them by the food which they readily eat then go and burrow again. Should I disturb them at all or work on the assumption they will come out themselves when they are hungry.
They are not laying at the moment.
PigPog
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Post by felix93 on Dec 5, 2006 11:37:32 GMT
The temp of the tank seems a bit cold to me even for fulicas. Try to put a light (such as fireglow lightbulb) over the tank and warm it up a little bit. My fulicas rarely bury themsleves unless laying eggs, even with deep substrate.
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Post by deadmansfinger on Dec 5, 2006 12:38:44 GMT
agree with Felix, temp is pretty low.
what's your tank like? is it made of glass or wood?
if glass what kind of lid do you have on it?
is the heatmat under the tank of attached to the side?
if on the side is it inside or outside the tank?
Brian.
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pigpog
Achatina achatina
Posts: 45
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Post by pigpog on Dec 5, 2006 13:09:54 GMT
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LisaLQ
Archachatina papyracea
Old friend (emphasis on the "old")
Posts: 2,995
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Post by LisaLQ on Dec 5, 2006 13:16:57 GMT
Whereabouts do you keep your tank? Sounds like it's in a rather cold area to have a temp that low even with a heat mat. I'd move it to a warmer room/area, maybe in front of the radiator, where there's an even warm temperature. My tanks are around 24c without a heatmat, just kept in a centrally heated room, so your tank should really be warmer than that - unless you have it in a bathroom or near a door or something?  |
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pigpog
Achatina achatina
Posts: 45
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Post by pigpog on Dec 5, 2006 13:23:55 GMT
Tank is kept ontop of unit in spare room .... as for central heating - perhaps we are a hardy lot as we only have heating on for 2hrs a day.
Will see if I can relocate tank
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Kevin
Archachatina dimidiata
Posts: 2,227
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Post by Kevin on Dec 5, 2006 13:39:14 GMT
Maybe the humidity is too low? does the tank have a lot of ventilation?
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pigpog
Achatina achatina
Posts: 45
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Post by pigpog on Dec 5, 2006 13:49:25 GMT
the tank has a mesh top - but I put a tea towel over it in an attempt to keep it warm
Would I be better putting the heatmat on the base of the tank rather than the side and perhaps putting less substraite in - perhaps a couple of inches rather than 5" When put on the base - the heatmat would cover 1/2 the tank. At the moment it is taped to the side of the tank
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Kevin
Archachatina dimidiata
Posts: 2,227
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Post by Kevin on Dec 5, 2006 13:56:18 GMT
Its best to keep the heatmat on the side of the tank, rather than at the base, as it would dry out the substrate, your substrate seems ok at around 5 inches as well, the best temperature for fulica would be around 24c, and fairly humid.
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pigpog
Achatina achatina
Posts: 45
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Post by pigpog on Dec 5, 2006 14:08:25 GMT
Ok - will leave heatmat on side and see what happens. Going to see if I can move tank anywhere but I am not sure. It might just be a temporary move over winter as that room is almost too hot in the summer.
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Post by deadmansfinger on Dec 5, 2006 15:14:31 GMT
the tank has a mesh top - but I put a tea towel over it in an attempt to keep it warm Would I be better putting the heatmat on the base of the tank rather than the side and perhaps putting less substraite in - perhaps a couple of inches rather than 5" When put on the base - the heatmat would cover 1/2 the tank. At the moment it is taped to the side of the tank I prefer to stick my heatmats on the side and also inside the tank. It really makes such a difference to the heat the snails receive. Easy enough to do with some double sided tape. You could try insulating the sides and back with polystyrene tiles. Brian. |
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pigpog
Achatina achatina
Posts: 45
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Post by pigpog on Dec 5, 2006 15:18:04 GMT
I have double sided tape - I will attempt to attach the heatmat to the inside of the tank. I had thought of that but wasn't sure if that was ok. I also have rolls and rolls of bubble wrap in the house - might put some of that round the tank to use as insulation. I think my Dad uses it in his greenhouses to keep his plants warm  Pigpog |
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Post by deadmansfinger on Dec 5, 2006 15:39:43 GMT
I have double sided tape - I will attempt to attach the heatmat to the inside of the tank. I had thought of that but wasn't sure if that was ok. I also have rolls and rolls of bubble wrap in the house - might put some of that round the tank to use as insulation. I think my Dad uses it in his greenhouses to keep his plants warm Pigpog sounds good, I have used it in my greenhouse too. Brian. |
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pigpog
Achatina achatina
Posts: 45
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Post by pigpog on Dec 5, 2006 15:42:13 GMT
Thanks Brian - will let you know how it goes. It must be these Scottish climes we are having to endure!
PigPog
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Post by deadmansfinger on Dec 5, 2006 15:43:41 GMT
yup...........it's baltic! ;D
Brian.
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