Calcium for snails/shrimps
- Thread starter apisto420
- Start date
try cuttlebones
I asked much the same question not long ago, and a wise invertibrate expert told me to go to the nearest Wal-mart or whatever and pick up a cuttlefish bone - the kind you give parakeets and etc. to wear down their beak. They're super-cheap - maybe a buck or two.
Buy one, remove the metal clip, break it into chunks (they break really easily) and drop a piece in the tank. It won't do anything to your pH - it's pretty much non-reactive - but the snails and shrimp *will* visit it.
I have a small tank just for ramshorns, and I've had really good luck with this. One day, I hope to have time to try to make snail jello. But for now, slices of cucumber and pieces of cuttlefish bone seem to fill the bill just fine. My snails look great.
I asked much the same question not long ago, and a wise invertibrate expert told me to go to the nearest Wal-mart or whatever and pick up a cuttlefish bone - the kind you give parakeets and etc. to wear down their beak. They're super-cheap - maybe a buck or two.
Buy one, remove the metal clip, break it into chunks (they break really easily) and drop a piece in the tank. It won't do anything to your pH - it's pretty much non-reactive - but the snails and shrimp *will* visit it.
I have a small tank just for ramshorns, and I've had really good luck with this. One day, I hope to have time to try to make snail jello. But for now, slices of cucumber and pieces of cuttlefish bone seem to fill the bill just fine. My snails look great.
Sticky: Freshwater Invertebrates- FAQ sticky
If you read the "Sticky" in this forum; you will find lots of useful info.
I believe it's page 5 that has a list of foods rich in calcium along with the phosphate ratio.
I use organic Collard greens. I had read somewhere, a very long time ago,:uhoh: that Spinach is actually not easily digested by snails. Boil the Collard greens and freeze for future use. There are quite a few choices for foods.
Spring time is great for gathering dandelions as long as there are no pesticides used in the area.
If you read the "Sticky" in this forum; you will find lots of useful info.
I believe it's page 5 that has a list of foods rich in calcium along with the phosphate ratio.
I use organic Collard greens. I had read somewhere, a very long time ago,:uhoh: that Spinach is actually not easily digested by snails. Boil the Collard greens and freeze for future use. There are quite a few choices for foods.
Spring time is great for gathering dandelions as long as there are no pesticides used in the area.
Is it this? http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2754304
This way sounds the easiest, buy, throw in water, done... I was reading about snello but i am not that great at making things so i dont want to do it.. If that cuttle bone thingy will work though i will pick some up asap and put them in all all of my tanks!! I'll find a spot to hide it... Well i do have some Flukers calcium vitamin D3 phosphorus free for reptiles laying around, dosing will probably do nothing either since it will dissolve in the water right?
BettaFishMommy
finkids make me happy :-)
snail jello is super easy to make! i found that one and a half packets of gelatin held it together better than just one.
I also use Cuttle Bone, just break off pieces and put it in your tank, it will float at first, but will sink. Shrimp will also visit it.
Well I've picked up a pack of cuttles bones.. When i washed it, it seemed like it dissolved pretty quickly.. Would that raise the KH or GH??
For the jello I've never made it befor so its gonna be a challange... Wouldn't the flavours be bad for the aquarium though? Does anyone know a simple receipt? I am geussing galetin is jellow powder???
For the jello I've never made it befor so its gonna be a challange... Wouldn't the flavours be bad for the aquarium though? Does anyone know a simple receipt? I am geussing galetin is jellow powder???
Don't worry - it takes a while to sink - maybe a day or so.
Half a cuttlebone seems like a lot. I just break off an inch or two and throw it in. They find it just fine, and it doesn't seem to affect my water chem at all. I don't know if a bigger piece might, though.
Have to say, if you've got the time to make the snail jello, I'm sure that's better than a cuttlebone. But the cuttlebone is better than nothing. I've got a tank full of healthy Ramshorns with really pretty shells, raised on algae wafers, cucumber slices, and cuttlebone. (Then again, I also have hard water, which helps.)
Half a cuttlebone seems like a lot. I just break off an inch or two and throw it in. They find it just fine, and it doesn't seem to affect my water chem at all. I don't know if a bigger piece might, though.
Have to say, if you've got the time to make the snail jello, I'm sure that's better than a cuttlebone. But the cuttlebone is better than nothing. I've got a tank full of healthy Ramshorns with really pretty shells, raised on algae wafers, cucumber slices, and cuttlebone. (Then again, I also have hard water, which helps.)
