Some people prefer dogs and cats as familiar and familiar animals as pets, and give others to keep a predator or a cold-blooded one. The latter include mollusks - snails. Their content cannot be called extremely complex, but you can not even call simple. These creatures are very fragile and demanding in care. In this article we will talk about soil, which is ideal for arranging a mollusk’s home, namely, a coconut substrate, we will discuss the types of soil, its advantages and disadvantages, and also how to use it correctly.
Advantages and disadvantages
To get started, let's still find out what a coconut substrate is and what it looks like. This mixture is a crushed coconut shell, which can be small or large fractions.
Experts say that it is she who is the ideal substrate for snails.
The clam is quite sensitive and can get hurt on hard and hard ground, so for the terrarium you need to use a filler, which in no case will harm the clam.
Coconut substrate has the following advantages:
- it is a natural product, in which there are no harmful substances, it is completely safe for gastropod mollusk;
- characterized by normal, within normal limits, acidity;
- maintains good soil condition and prevents it from souring;
- not subject to rotting;
- in this type of filler, pathogenic microorganisms do not multiply;
- for a long time, such a substrate is able to retain moisture;
- thanks to this filler, the soil is saturated with oxygen;
- the packaging is small, which will not cause problems with its storage;
- experts argue that the coconut substrate has no restrictions on the shelf life (this applies only to the dry version of the soil).
As for the shortcomings, it was also possible without them. I would like to note a few of them: the high cost and the existence of many fakes and low-quality product.
In the latter case, producers who are dishonest in the production process and may soak the walnut shell in sea water are to blame. This can negatively affect the health of the mollusk, cause him irritation and wounds on the shell, as a result of which the animal dies. To avoid such a terrible situation, you need to carefully familiarize yourself with the activities of the seller before buying, make sure that the product is of high quality, certified and meets the requirements. To protect yourself and your pet, it is better to rinse the coconut substrate with water before use.
Species overview
Given the fact that coconut substrate is quite popular as a type of soil for a terrarium with snails, the manufacturer tried and made several options. Let us consider what its types exist.
Chips
This type of soil is not very suitable for gastropods.
The substrate is quite large, it retains moisture poorly, and the gastropod can be injured by moving along it.
The size of coconut chips can be 1-1.5 centimeters.
Fiber
It is characterized by excellent moisture resistance. There is an opinion that this type of coconut substrate is suitable exclusively for adults. Young animals, by inexperience, burying themselves in coconut fiber, often suffocate.
Peat
This fraction of coconut soil is considered the smallest. The filler is presented in the form of a fine, friable powder, which is ideal for arranging an aquarium for a gastropodsince it holds moisture well and is harmless.
Coconut flakes are sold in briquettes, which are very tight and specially made. The weight of the briquette can be from 0.5 to 5 kilograms. Only crumbs are poured into the briquettes, without any filler.
It is possible to find this filler on sale in the form of tablets, which are characterized by the presence of a mesh shell.
It is very important to buy this soil only in specialized pharmacies or at a pet store. Do not buy coconut filler for snails, which is intended for use by gardeners in the process of planting flowers.
How to use the substrate?
Very often, beginners may have a question about how to properly prepare the substrate so that it can be used. The most popular way to prepare a terrarium filler is as follows:
- a coconut substrate briquette purchased in a specialized veterinary pharmacy or pet store needs to be cut into 3 identical parts; if you have a 15-liter aquarium in which one snail lives, it is enough to take 1/3 of one cut off part;
- part of the cut briquette should be put in a bucket or a large bowl; the capacity must be large and capacious, the soil in the process of harvesting will swell and increase in size;
- 4 liters of boiled hot water are needed for this volume of soil (1/3 of the cut off part); boil water to soak the substrate;
- using a spoon or any other equipment you need to mix the soil thoroughly and leave it for 40 minutes to let the mixture cool completely;
- when the prepared mixture has cooled, you need to drain the water, and let the soil itself remain in the tank;
- then we repeat all the manipulations - you need to re-dilute the soil with boiling water in the same volume, 4 liters, and leave it at rest until completely cooled for 30 minutes.
If there is dirt, the bottom of the bucket is covered with sand, and the color of the water is dark red, then you need to process and brew again. In general, you need to soak the substrate with boiling water until all the dirt has gone.
After complete and high-quality soil cleaning, you can proceed to the next stage - take a little soil so that its amount fits in your hand, squeeze out the water, but not completely, the soil should be moist, and the already wrung out substrate can be used to improve the terrarium. When the soil is already placed in the tank, you can run the inhabitants there.
It is worth paying attention to how to correctly cut a briquette with a coconut substrate, because this process can also create a difficult situation for inexperienced users. So, to cut the briquette, you need to adhere to the following algorithm:
- it is impossible to cut the briquette with an ordinary small kitchen knife; you need to take a large, strong and sharp knife - this is due to the fact that the briquette is very dense and pressed;
- using the selected knife you need to make a deep incision on the briquette;
- then, using a hammer or any other weighty object, chop off the right amount of soil;
- instead of a knife, you can use an ax, if any;
- an incision must be made along the fiber.
How often do you need to change?
Of course, the coconut substrate needs to be periodically changed in the terrarium, and the container itself should be washed well.
In order to determine the need for soil replacement, you need to carefully look at it and assess the degree of contamination.
Experts say that for a snail to live comfortably in a terrarium filled with this filler, soil replacement must occur at least once every 3 weeks. After the terrarium is washed and dried, it is possible to pour new prepared soil into it.
Useful Tips
Finally, I would like to give the following tips, which will help organize the care and care of the gastropod mollusk in the best way:
- if midges are found in the terrarium and there is a sharp and unpleasant odor, the substrate must be replaced immediately; but, in addition to the general cleaning of the snail’s home, do not forget about regular daily hygienic cleanings;
- it is categorically not recommended to use such material as sawdust, sand, pebbles and clay as a filler for the aquarium;
- many are interested in what can be put together a coconut substrate in a terrarium, the answer is nothing, as this is an ideal soil for a snail;
- changing the soil in the aquarium is possible only when adults live in it; it is forbidden to do this if the snail has masonry - changing the temperature of the substrate can kill offspring.
How to prepare a coconut substrate for snails, see below.
