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Post by stixandsnailsyork on Jul 6, 2010 10:48:24 GMT
This might be an easier question for those who have animals that feed on fruit flies.
I have found some mites in 1 of my tanks they are the same mites as you get in fruit fly cultures, I am under the impression these are not harmful to the snails but they don't look nice I check on a daily basis for mites and other nasties and have only just noitced them today and only in the 1 tank. there is none on the snails they look like they are feeding on their food but most are on the poo there is about 15-20 of them. I have young snails to move into the bigger tank that i have them in so any help would be fab i don't want to move more snails in if they may harm the snailies. I will try and get a good picture of them and put it on. x Thanks all and help would be great. x
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Post by feebix on Jul 6, 2010 12:09:12 GMT
Don`t worry about it. Mites occur in the type of environment you are making for your snails and it`s ok. They`ll eat the poo and scr@p food and basically poo out compost keeping your tank clean. Of course there are bad mites, but they are to be found ON the snails near the vent. Mites in the tank really aren`t a problem although too many can look a bit horrible. If it gets to that point, just remove the very top layer of soil and add fresh stuff, that`s the best way to maintain your tanks anyway..... ;D Hope that helps....
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Post by AlienSnail on Jul 6, 2010 14:12:33 GMT
Yeah sounds like the helpful poop-eating critters.
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Post by stixandsnailsyork on Jul 6, 2010 18:55:33 GMT
Thats ok then was starting to panic when i saw them, as long as they are good mites, Will try and get a pic. x
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Post by feebix on Jul 6, 2010 21:25:43 GMT
Someone needs a Veho.... ;D
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Post by crossless on Jul 6, 2010 22:39:13 GMT
I have noticed that I get mites in tank when peat has been long time moist so if don't dry sometimes from surface. If it drys little then I don't have mites.
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Post by stixandsnailsyork on Jul 7, 2010 8:59:08 GMT
I have noticed that I get mites in tank when peat has been long time moist so if don't dry sometimes from surface. If it drys little then I don't have mites. They are in my adult tiger tank so i cant let them dry out. They retract into their shells and they are hard work to get to come back out if it dries. Thanks for your advice though crossless. x
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Post by feebix on Jul 7, 2010 9:36:07 GMT
You could probably control tham a little by putting the food on a tray, the mites will stay in the soil and die.....
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Post by stixandsnailsyork on Jul 7, 2010 9:45:39 GMT
I will get some big dishes and feed them on there. thanks feebo. x
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Post by feebix on Jul 7, 2010 21:33:20 GMT
Plastic ones mind, you don`t want them falling onto pyrex dishes or owt! ;D
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Post by stixandsnailsyork on Jul 8, 2010 7:20:02 GMT
I have got loads of plastic ones but they are all too small, will have to pick some up today.
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Post by feebix on Jul 8, 2010 10:54:55 GMT
If I do the plastic container thing I tend to just keep one from the supermarket that my tomatoes come in, you can get some really shallow ones.... ;D
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Post by stixandsnailsyork on Jul 8, 2010 11:14:49 GMT
Good thinking they are flexable as well so wont hurt if they do happen to fall onto it. Thanks Feebo.
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Post by crossless on Jul 23, 2010 9:12:02 GMT
I heard that some mites could be prevented so that you would heat peat before putting it to terrarium.. Example in oven, but I personally think it's too risky so I would not do it.. But I would like to explore so that I put peat in sauna while it warms up in sauna you could easily heat up more peat at once. But then again it gave me a though what if you moisture the first time peat with boiling water and wait till it cools down.. I think it could be quite same thing..
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Post by stixandsnailsyork on Jul 23, 2010 9:27:07 GMT
I use the coir blocks that is used by pouring on boiling water then it gets a blast of 2 minutes in the microwave just to kill the last few bugs that might be in it.
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