Heating
The ideal heat range for snails is between 21 and 23 degrees centigrade, although they can be quite happy provided they are between 18 and 30. Many snail keepers use heat mats (the kind designed for reptile tanks) to supplement the heat levels in the tank, particularly in winter. The general consensus is that a warm snail is an active snail and an active snail will eat more, grow faster and ultimately, get bigger! Heating lamps can also be used for this, and it is useful to keep a thermometer in or on the housing. Heat mats and lamps should always be placed to one side of the tank, in order to give the snail the option of moving to the warmer / cooler side as they wish. This stops them from over-heating.
Misting
One thing that your snails will need, particularly if you are using a heating mat or lamp, is moisture. Since the addition of my heating mat, I mist my snails once a day. (You can use the type of spray bottle you get in garden centres.) The soil should be moist, but not wet. My snails seem to respond very well to being misted, as, even if they are tucked up, they come out for a shower!
Cleaning
You will need to clean out your snail tank fairly regularly. Depending on the size of your tank, you may choose to do this every 2 or 3 weeks. When you do this, transfer your snails to a safe container, and remove EVERYTHING from the tank. Wash the tank with warm water. Many snailers use washing up liquid to clean the inside of the tank, ensuring to rinse thoroughly. However, the chemicals in washing up liquid can actually build up in the sealant on glass tanks, or in any porous material, so a bit of elbow grease and some very hot water is probably your best bet, and definitely safest for your snails!
Replace all the substrate and rinse the water dish and any other decorations. You may want to change the cuttlefish at this time, too.
You can also use this time to give your snails a bath! Use luke warm water and a very soft brush (an old child's toothbrush is ideal!) to clean them. My snails love bathtime! Be very careful when cleaning the new areas of shell.
... more ...
