Hardening water to prevent shell erosion..

[kimmisc]

From my tap:
KH = 2
GH = 4

I have been raising KH by adding baking soda. Apparently, the GH needs to be raised, because my snails shells are eroding and it's getting to the point where they will die from it if the water is left as is.

I bought some crushed coral to add to the filter.

I do 50% PWC's weekly. I am wondering if this water change schedule will defeat the purpose of using the crushed coral.

I just today found a thread saying that epsom salt raises GH and can be used along with baking soda for raising GH and KH.

If I were to use the baking soda and epsom salt to raise GH/KH before pouring new water into the tanks, could I still safely use crushed coral in the filters as backup to hopefully prevent ANY further shell erosion? If the GH is in a good range, the crushed coral won't continue harden the water above and beyond what's needed, right?

 

[Cory Keeper]

what is your PH? below 6.8 and it would probably start eroding. A better way of increasing your GH would be calcium, and snails need it anyway, win-win.

 

[kimmisc]

what is your PH? below 6.8 and it would probably start eroding. A better way of increasing your GH would be calcium, and snails need it anyway, win-win.

Yes, and raising kh/gh also raises ph. Naturally, with my soft water, the ph is low before I add anything to it.

I do dose with calcium... Kent's Liquid Calcium. It is calcium chloride though, and does not increase hardness. I have searched for calcium carbonate to use for dosing calcium AND increasing hardness, but I can't find it.

 

[Cory Keeper]

I meant what is the PH in the tank.

 

[destined_love7]

You could feed them snail jello. I have a recipe if you want it. Definately will help with their shells and that way you wouldn't need to dose the tank.

 

[kimmisc]

I meant what is the PH in the tank.

The pH is 7.6 in the tanks, due to having raised KH. pH is not the problem here. It's GH.

My questions are about crushed coral, not necessarily "what's wrong?" I already know what's wrong.

You could feed them snail jello. I have a recipe if you want it. Definately will help with their shells and that way you wouldn't need to dose the tank.

They get calcium rich snail biscuits daily (that I made). Calcium intake gives them the calcium needed for new shell growth. It doesn't prevent existing shell from eroding in soft water.

 

[Cory Keeper]

My snails never had a problem with eroding shells once I got the PH above 7.0, my GH was at 4 and KH at 3. Do you have a pic of the snail?

 

[destined_love7]

Ahh. Gotcha.

 

[kimmisc]

My snails never had a problem with eroding shells once I got the PH above 7.0, my GH was at 4 and KH at 3. Do you have a pic of the snail?

Nope, no pictures. I tried to take one, but my batteries died. Just picture a snail with an eroded shell.

Can anyone answer my question about crushed coral?

 

[msjinkzd]

I cannot answer your question, but you could try posting over at applesnail.net, I am sure some of the people over there have been in your shoes and may have some more practical advice for you and your water chemistry. Good luck.