Snail Shell Patching Photo's

[Katalyst]

So the lid to one of my tanks is black and in a huge rush I lifted it off...I always always always look and looked quick and didn't see any snails as I lifted the top off..One of my deep purples is so dark I guess she blended with the black lid and I didn't see her until it was too late...She let go and hit the concrete floor. :( I feel rotten but accidents happen. I ran out to home depot for marine epoxy putty which of course they did not have. So I pick up the plumbers putty at the suggestion of the plumbing expert (said the contents were completely non toxic) but still not completely trusting him I pick up marine epoxy gel as well. The boyfriend says to try the putty...I go through the whole process and then decide to look up cure/drying time since the putty has absolutely no directions on it. Guess what, according the company website it plumbers putty DOES NOT dry. Gah! Glad I got the other stuff. :POed:

Hookay done venting...Some people 2 days before their wedding get facials, pedicures and massages. Me I stay up patching snail shells. :confused:

I thought this might help someone else out...I'm still waiting for it to dry and then I'll post more photo's if she makes it. :Worried:

Its hard to see the missing part of her shell but its there...
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/katalyst_x/Patch.jpg
First try..I took an egg cracked it dumped the contents and nuked the shell for 2 minutes. It makes the wet leathery lining dry which should be placed first on top of the exposed tissue to protect it. Then the putty was put in place...You can see part of the dried egg shell lining to the right of the snail and in the second photo below.
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/katalyst_x/Patch1.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/katalyst_x/Patch2.jpg
When I realized it the putty wasn't going to dry, I geared up for Plan B...This was the only marine epoxy stuff I could get my hands on. Pictured below my very sophisticated operating tools. A wooden BBQ stick, marine epoxy, microwave bowls that I just had to buy because I used the rest of them for my snails...yeah whatever, egg shell and my poor snail. The whole project took about 10 minutes tops to do. (well it would have if I had not listened to two silly men who were laughing at me (Home Depot Experts) and suggested I just step on my snail...No worries I suggested they go and do something useful like play in traffic. :laugh: :;):
http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/katalyst_x/Patch3.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m103/katalyst_x/Patch4.jpg

[Katalyst]

Sadly now the tissue is really swelling and I don't think she's going to make it...I just had to scrape the patch off as she just let water out of her shell. :(

[blainep]

Interesting idea. I'd be interested to hear how this turns out.

I've read on some other forums of people using super glue to patch snail shells with some success, although I've never tried it myself.

[Katalyst]

Well hopefully 3 times is the charm...She retracted herself in so much her tissue was really sticking out badly. When I origionally patched her she was still checking things out. This time I've allowed for the extra tissue and used the lining from two eggs. It ain't pretty but hopefully it'll work.

[CACAdmin]

Keeping fingers crossed for you...hope it works:yes: ... keep us posted.

[Katalyst]

Well she is still alive this morning but not moving much...Her shell door is opened a slight bit. Yipee! Unfortunately because I had to patch her 3 times and each time (except the last) she expelled water she was holding the patch is still not fully dry. While I ran out to home depot to get the epoxy I kept her in about a cm of water. If I had to do it again I would have kept her dry. Who knew? I have her sitting on damp paper towels and hopefully in a few hours I'll be able to put her back into the tank. I'm a little nervous about putting her back in the main tank and em thinking qt tank or breeder net. I have to get my hands on a 5 or 10 gallon tank I'm thinking. Hmmm then I could sneak in a betta at a later time. Leave it to me to work in getting a new fish due to an injured snail. :)
Thanks for the well wishes...Hoping she'll make it. :;):

[Melody]

All the best with her and kudos for your efforts. You can put her in a container temporarily. You can eat a whole bucket of icecream and use the bucket.

Not sayin' how I know that.

At least you know that you've done everything you could do.:(

[Katalyst]

All the best with her and kudos for your efforts. You can put her in a container temporarily. You can eat a whole bucket of icecream and use the bucket.

Not sayin' how I know that.

At least you know that you've done everything you could do.:(
Unfortunately I think she is gone but am giving her the benefit of the doubt until I can smell otherwise. :Eeewww:

While there is no ice cream to be had I did get 4 new green/gold corys. I love those little buggers. I can still have the ice cream right?

[Melody]

Absolutely :smile: , you've earned it.