How crazy would this be?

[vandamay]

In my spare room i have a very large long side board, would it be crazy to take it down to basic, frame and shape, and glass it up?
and as wood would not be good for snails to slither around on, maybe i could coat the inside of the wood with fablon! so they would not get splinters or be harmed by any thing in the wood,
It would end up about 6ft long and 3ft high and about 2 ft depth,
Now i have written it down it seems even crazier, but do you think it would be a viable thought???

[feebix]

Yes. But. I really wouldn`t let the snails come into contact with the wood, as it will be treated and will contain a lot of chemicals. Also, getting the wood wet, which you can`t avoid really, will make the chemicals leach into the tank and be absorbed by the snails. It all sounds like a no go, But... I`m sure you`ll get a lot of suggestions and something might be suitable. My first idea was line it with perspex, but as soon as that get moisture behind it which is enevitable, mould. My second idea, line it with mesh..... that won`t stop the chemicals leaching out, and there will be lots. Hmmmm.... I`ll carry on thinking about that for you and see if I can come up with anything, you never know.....

[feebix]

I`ve just asked my architect wife aswell lol It`s just not the right material really , woods rots and gets mouldy easily, I think it`s a no go dude. I wish I could reach everyone, I`d make tanks for you all lol I make them for everyone else ! lol

[crossless]

Yes, you can't make from every type of wood tank that you would like, because they will rot with out sealments etc but they have to right kind and suitable for specific materials.

My dad makes me tank for my snails from strong birch plywood, but he is very very good builder and has decades of knowledge of building. And know what he is doing, and what wood is right for it and what is suitable for different type of use.

Don't try to make tank if you don't know anything of it. There is all on internet loads of used tanks very cheap. That material what we are going to use needs silicone in everyside of it and some specific kind of protection from moisture in the cut surfaces and holes. But it won't be 100% water proof just enough moister proof what snails need. It's not the result you have to think details and everything before starting project and build tank with no hurry so you won't get rotting tank instead.

Tank building isn't easy without no experience and knowledge what kind of materials you need, desert animals don't need moisture so for they you don't need to think much of moisture proof materials. Or you can some professional person to make you tank, if money isn't problem. I would not build tank on my own 'cos you need power tools and cut straight, if my dad would know things or too from building I would buy huge glass tank instead and glass tanks can't be 100% make on your own professional have to cut and grind glasses sharpe edges away before you can assembly it.

[vandamay]

Ok thanks so much for the input its really helpful. I now go into plan B and that is to use said side board as a base, and get very nice OH to make a big tank from perspex, all sealed with silicone, and an easy access lid, yes i think that sounds much better, don't you ? ;D

[feebix]

Hmmm yes but you could get a nice glass tank for the amount of money you`ll spend on perspex and sealant. One tube of sealant is £9 the amount of perspex you`d need, £20 or so... you`ll get a small glass tank for that....

[vandamay]

Yes but with the length etc if i use it as a base, my OH was saying we could put dividers in and have 2 maybe 3 tanks in one,
or, just have the species in together that like warm and wet,

I will get there in the end my brain just goes on and on thinking and you are a mine of info feeb!

[crossless]

Oh yes. well them hmm.. For big snails like a. fulica I'm thing that tank could be something like 40 to 50cm deep, more place for big food plate and hiding places etc. good height is 40cm. Otherwise it would be too big drop for big snail. And you can choose length as you like. Counting litres is easy so you know how much you can put in is to;

First multiply dept with height and then multiplication with length. And divide multiplication with number 1000 and you get how many litres would tank be.

I'm planning to make tank for my a fulicas about 40cm height, dept 50cm and length I'm thinking about 90 to 120cm so if I get bored of a fulicas and take bigger snail I don't need to get to make new one. I like to keep my tanks big so I can use them with different type animals too in future.

[vandamay]

I would love to have lots of snails, but alas i have to keep my feet on the ground, an i just want them to be happy an comfy in large tanks, my husband works with all sorts od materials in his job, and when he manages to do this i will post a pick of finnished result, not sure when he will get time though, but i know it will be great!

[crossless]

Same here. I'll post photo too. I put doors on one long side, not slidiing doors regular hinged one half of height of tank and nother half height tank is that threshold so soil stays in side and it's easier to watch what snails are doing. Size will be like something space for 20 a.fulicas but I keep personal limit of snails about around 10, 'cos I'm jobless so if I have to travel it's easy to take them with me if needed.

When I get fuul time job and can't travel I'll start to keep A. Fulicas old snail's home, here is so many people giving up old snails for younger ones, it's so sad.

[vandamay]

I am hoping to keep all my beasties until they are a ripe old age, thats why i want a nice big home for them ;D