Placing the tank away from sunlight helps to maintain the temperature of the habitat and prevents your snails from getting too hot, becoming dry or dehydrated, and dying.
If you plan on adding live plants to your tank, you will need to make the substrate a little deeper. Check the requirements for your plants to ensure you provide enough room to root and flourish. If you plan on using soil from your garden, leave the soil in the fridge or freezer overnight to kill any small organisms in the dirt. [3] X Research source
Some lids will come with holes already cut out, in which case you just need to worry about laying netting over them.
Over time, if the tank feels too damp, consider adding more ventilation holes to the top lid. If the tank feels too dry over time, you may need to moisten it more often than once or twice a day to maintain the environment’s humidity. A large hole is preferable to small holes as more air will ventilate in and out, and as long as it’s covered by netting your snails won’t be able to escape. [6] X Research source
Plain ceramics or unpainted pottery for your snail to use as a home Various sizes of rocks for your snail to hide amongst Bark and branches for your snail to climb up high Small statuettes to add scenery and aesthetic to the tank A broken plate or small dish to put your snail’s food on
Ferns, which snails will usually avoid and thrive in low-light environments Ivy, which grows quickly and is generally avoided by snails Moss, which adds a bed of green to the soil and provides something for your snail to munch on Grasses, which create green patches for your snail to eat as a snack
While earthworms, pill bugs, and woodlice are specifically good for the tank, just about any small bug can be added to the tank, and are easily found in your back garden or your local natural area. While you don’t have to add other bugs, you will significantly cut down the chances of developing mold in the tank as they serve as natural barriers against fungi. [10] X Research source
Don’t use a spray bottle that was used for chemicals, instead opt to buy a new spray bottle to protect your snails from harmful contaminants. [12] X Research source If you have decomposer species in the tank, they may drown if you overwater and the tank remains permanently soggy.
Add some ground up cuttlefish bone to the habitat to give your snail a source of calcium. You can buy this in the bird section of your local pet store. [14] X Research source If the food is uneaten after a few days, remove it from the habitat and try something else. Snails can be picky eaters, so it may take some trial and error to find something your snail likes to eat regularly.
You won’t have to do this very often if you have other organisms maintaining the soil. Check on the soil a few times each week to make sure it seems healthy and to make sure it seems hydrated. [17] X Research source
