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Post by koppite on Jan 13, 2010 22:37:23 GMT
just wondering for those who have springtails in with the gals, whats the crack when you clean your tubs/tanks out, by changing the substrate with new/fresh stuff, wont this get shut of all the benificail bugs aswell? or do you just change 1 half 1 week and the oppsite half the next, so not to wipe out the springy's also with the springtails in there, do you still replace the substrate as often or not, if the bugs are clearing any poo parcels from the floor? cheers
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Post by feebix on Jan 13, 2010 23:08:15 GMT
You just scoop the top layer off, that contains the majority of them and they breed like billy `o anyway so numbers are replaced quite quickly Same with woodlice but you really don`t need to change the soil very often at all when you have a custodian layer......
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Post by AlienSnail on Jan 13, 2010 23:24:27 GMT
Yeah just as Feebo says really, the soil lasts longer. Basically snails require some enzymes and bacteria etc that are found in food that's going off. Sometimes they will eat the soiled food, sometimes they pick up what they need from the soil around the gone-off food. A custodian layer helps to keep the soil snail-friendly by keeping down some waste but allowing enough to still get into the soil.
For cleaning I use the same method as Feebix.
I don't do a big soil change very often but I do skim out some of the heavily soiled substrate and mix in some fresh from time to time.
You shouldn't need to change it every week, just skim the worst off and leave the rest.
If it smells then it could be that it's getting too wet, watch out for water collecting at the bottom of the tank. Generally speaking though it shouldn't smell even when it's not been changed for a while.
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Post by crossless on Jan 14, 2010 0:24:17 GMT
I always let soil dry on top before watering it again, you can really see through glass small layer dry soil and under that is moist soil. I think it prevent soil to get too wet. When I get more sensitive snails have to see them which is good time for their get watered soil.
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Post by koppite on Jan 14, 2010 7:10:52 GMT
nice one, cheers team - helpful as always
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