Not liking the soil

[cptalbertwesker]

I've always used coir blocks for my snails, but recently I've found that my snails dont go onto the coir unless necessary ie to feed, and the rest of the time they sit on the underside of the tank.

any reason why they might be doing this, I find it a bit strange

[koppite]

could it be 'too' wet for them? or not damp enough?

[feebix]

I think Coir is quite acidic compared to compost, it`s also not as comfortable to "walk" on I wouldn`t have thought, because it`s so fiberous and scratchy. In my opinion you just cannot beat compost. I still use Coir to dry my compost out now and then but it`s mostly compost, about 70/30 and a good three inches thick to allow for burrowing. A snail that can`t burrow anywhere isn`t a very happy snail.....

[koppite]

Feb 11, 2010 20:06:47 GMT feebix said:

I still use Coir to dry my compost out now and then

hhmmm, i'll take the tip matey, nice one

so do you just break up the coir and mix it in whilst bone dry to soak up any excess, or do you just place small dry blocks within the compost?

[feebix]

I break it up and mix it in dry. If you carefully bang a knife into the side of the block, you can twist it and break off a large piece which you can then crumble in. I crumble until the floor is covered, then turn it over a bit, then repeat. Coir is great stuff for drying out your compost !

[welsh]

I've just changed mine over from coir to organic compost they seem happen enough. It is cheaper I brought a big bag for £4.99 and that did all my tanks it would of taken 8-9 coir blocks. I think it smells nice too nice and earthy lol.

[crossless]

I use peat it's quite acidic but snails love it, its easy to change and water when it gets too dry.

[cptalbertwesker]

Hmm ok, be a shame to lose the coir, I'll see if I have anywhere to store compost safely in my flat, don't want my snails unhappy afterall

[koppite]

I'm currently trying out a vacum block (100litre) of peat with added moss from the garden centre, which was £6.99, the team seem happy enough in there, pleanty of digging down, plenty of climbing around, so i guess all is well

might give the coir a go sometime in the future possibly, will see, always handy to have tips on board though

[welsh]

I like Feebs tip on adding coir to soak up the water i find the tubs can get water logged

[koppite]

yup, cracking tip

good to know especially when my current substrate tends to 'hold'the moisture more than the previous sub, so not going to just spray quite as much and see how it pans out......