Coir vs moss matt

[descartesgo]

A friend gave me a 35 gallon vertical hexagonal aquarium and drift wood branch for my garden snails. I've been keeping them in a plastic tank with a moss mat.

Can I put coconut fiber in the bottom of the hex tank and then a moss mat on top of that? I don't want eggs, but I want the "floor" to be soft in case the snails fall when climbing.

Suggestions? Thanks!

[etana]

Sure you can, especially if it's not coarse but resembles soft soil with just a lonely long fiber there and there. Most people here use that for their snails, including myself. Nothing wrong with using the moss on top of that.

On top of having a safe landing when falling, snails enjoy burrowing into their substrate, plus they need to eat it now and then to keep their beneficial gut bacteria in balance. Coir (coconut bedding) is great for all those purposes. Don't worry about eggs, happy snails are almost guaranteed to try breeding, you shouldn't try to stop it. You can put the eggs in the freezer if you don't want baby snails.

[etana]

Oh, btw, which moss matt is that? (Probably all right, but I got curious.)

[descartesgo]

Thanks for the advice. The moss may is by Exo Terra, for reptiles etc.

My garden snails are so active. I think they will like the new setup.

Wish I could let the tiny Texas Threetooth snails in there, too.

[descartesgo]

Here's a picture of the setup - not quite completed! - in my classroom.


goo.gl/photos/8ph5R7xUmnzC8mbs9

I'm going to include a flowerpot on the bottom. Not sure what else.

Thanks!

[jolovessnailies]

What a gorgeous set up love, the snailies are going to love it.

Hugs
JO xx