Filler (substrate) for snails

The health and wellbeing of your aquarium snails depend on the filler you choose for them. The substrate influences the environment your snails live in in addition to acting as the aquarium’s foundation. It can affect how they behave, reproduce, and even how their shell develops.

There are numerous substrate kinds available, and each has advantages and disadvantages of its own. There are a tonne of options available, ranging from natural materials like sand and gravel to specialty items made especially for snails. You can choose wisely if you are aware of your snails’ requirements and the features of each substrate.

This post will walk you through the various choices and offer helpful advice on how to choose the ideal substrate for your aquarium snails so they can flourish in their aquatic habitat.

Coconut substrate for snails

The most popular is coconut substrate for Achatina snails. It absorbs moisture well and retains it, maintaining the necessary microclimate in the home of mollusks. This filler can be purchased at any pet store. You can buy pressed in the form of a briquette or ready-made soil. This filler also differs in the size of the fractions. Most people prefer small-fraction coconut substrate, because it is easier for snails to move around and burrow, but there are also breeders who believe that large-fraction filler is more suitable for their pets. The layer of coconut filler in the home of an adult snail should be at least 10 cm. This soil has a neutral acid-base environment, which is ideal for keeping mollusks without harming them. Coconut soil will not cause burns to your pet, as, for example, from flower soil. This substrate does not contain parasites and other harmful microorganisms. Read more about coconut substrate here.

Neutralized peat

This type of filler can be purchased at flower shops. Its advantages are good absorption and moisture retention. But peat makes the terrarium dirty and with excess moisture it begins to become swampy. When buying, pay attention to the pH of the peat, it should not be lower than 7, since a low acid-base environment can cause burns on the body of mollusks. If you decide to use peat collected in the forest or purchased in a store without a pH mark on the label, then pre-treat it. To do this, place the soil in the oven or microwave and heat it for about 15-20 minutes. This will get rid of parasites and various harmful organisms. And to neutralize the environment of your filler, mix in 3 tablespoons of feed chalk or dolomite flour per 1 kg of peat.

Soil mixtures for flowers

On snail breeders" websites, there are often reports of keeping snails on soil for flowers. The most popular are soils for begonias, orchids and violets. Please note that any soil for flowers is not suitable as a filler for a snail terrarium! The mollusk crawls on the soil and passes it through itself in the process of eating. Soil for plants and flowers, regardless of the type, always has a low pH and contains fertilizers that are poisonous for these pets. Gradually, the toxic substances of fertilizers will accumulate and after some time the mollusk will die from poisoning. If you decide to put flower soil for snails, then first rinse it under clean, settled or filtered water to get rid of fertilizers, and put a small amount of dolomite flour or feed chalk to neutralize the acid-base environment (the proportions are approximately the same as for peat).

Moss

• sphagnum or forest moss
• carpet moss.

A snail can perfectly absorb and hold onto moisture on such a substrate. When kept on such a filler, a snail will maintain its cleanliness on its own and won’t contaminate the terrarium’s walls, so wiping them down less frequently will be necessary. See our upcoming articles for further details on how to prepare and gather moss yourself.

Earth (soil)

Snails can be filled with soil, ideally the uppermost layer of a deciduous forest. It is necessary to gather soil away from pebbles and feces, as well as in an area free of pesticides and fertilizers. The soil needs to be pre-treated by heating it for ten to fifteen minutes in the oven or microwave before being placed in the terrarium. Once it has cooled, fill the terrarium with the prepared soil and top it off with a few spoons of feed chalk.

Leaf litter

Leaf litter is practically not used as an independent filler for snails, since dry leaves cannot retain moisture. As a rule, litter is used as an addition to the main soil or mixed with moss. Dry leaves make the soil looser and more convenient for hiding in the substrate. These mollusks like to crawl on dry leaves and even eat them. Therefore, preference should be given to the following types of trees under which to collect litter: oak, birch, maple, beech, aspen, rowan. But poplar and chestnut leaves are not recommended. The most popular among breeders is oak litter for snails, since this type of dry leaves is the least susceptible to rotting. But do not throw out all the rotten leaves from the terrarium – your pets will happily eat them, since in nature they are food.

Such terrarium filler can be made by you or purchased.

It’s easy to prepare leaf litter for snails. Gather fallen or newly fallen leaves, give them a thorough wash, cover them with boiling water, and let them dry. Dry litter should be kept dry and enclosed in a cloth bag.

Mat or mattress

Achatina can now be kept in a novel way that has advantages and disadvantages: a mat or mattress. The idea is really straightforward. Place a non-woven mattress with foam rubber or synthetic padding on the terrarium’s bottom in place of the typical soil, and mist it with water. If the snail needs to burrow, place some moss or leaf litter in the corner of the mat.

Let’s talk about the advantages now:

• cleanliness in the terrarium;
• convenient to wash the bedding;
• the time for cleaning the terrarium is reduced;
• midges and nematodes do not start.

It should be mentioned that all of the benefits will only apply to mollusk owners, as the value of such content for snails is debatable when compared to other bedding options. However, feedback on this kind of content is all positive.

Hazelnut shells and walnut membranes

Seldom are crushed walnut membranes or large crumbs made from crushed hazelnuts or hazelnut shells used as snail filler. This kind of bedding hardly ever absorbs moisture. This causes moisture to pool at the bottom and stagnate, giving the terrarium an unpleasant odor, and attracting midges and mosquitoes. Furthermore, the snail’s body may sustain injuries from large shell fragments. For this reason, if you choose to use such filler for a snail, be ready for regular cleaning and bedding changes.

Sawdust

Sawdust is not a suitable substrate for a snail terrarium. Ultimately, the mollusc takes in and processes the filler that sustains its existence. Sawdust fragments with sharp edges have the potential to splinter and scratch the snail’s body and throat, resulting in inflammation and suppuration. The horns are the first to deteriorate when kept on sawdust. The horns may occasionally die off as a result of sawdust blockage.

Selecting the right substrate for snails in an aquarium is essential because it has a direct effect on their behavior, health, and general well-being, providing a secure and cozy habitat for them to live in.

Sand

Breeders have different opinions about using sand as terrarium filler. Some claim that sand is Achatina’s natural habitat. Sand is a comfortable habitat for snails, and it encourages Achatina to procreate and lay eggs. Some people think it’s not a good idea to keep a snail on sand because sand stains and scratches the glass walls of the terrarium, doesn’t hold water well, and scratches the mollusk’s body and shell. Sand scratches the snail’s shell, turning it dull and white and making it impossible to get back to how it once looked.

Pebbles and pebbles

Stones and pebbles are not the ideal substrate for snails. Since this type of bedding cannot hold water, snails cannot burrow into it. Additionally, if the pet falls off the terrarium’s wall or lid, it will break or damage its shell, which could result in its death in the second scenario.

Clay

Snails should not be fed such filler. Because of its dense structure, wet clay is difficult for snails to burrow in and difficult for them to breathe once buried. Furthermore, clay will become dirt at high humidity levels, and snails will continuously contaminate the terrarium’s walls with dirt.

The health and wellbeing of your aquarium snails depend on the substrate you choose for them. It offers a cozy setting in which they may easily move about, dig burrows, and even lay eggs.

Whatever substrate you choose—sand, gravel, or a specialty substrate—make sure it meets the requirements of the particular snails you are housing. Maintaining the substrate on a regular basis is also essential to preventing the growth of dangerous bacteria.

Your snails will live in a vibrant habitat that supports their natural behavior and general health if you choose the right substrate and maintain it.

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