snails with cracking shells

[chazsgirl]

I have 8 adult spixi snails(aka zebra apple snails) they have cracked shells, nothing bad just not perfect, I have fed the snail jello and put in cuttlebone, is there anything else I can do. what is the secret to a perfect shell?

 

[msjinkzd]

what is teh pH and hardness of your water? The higher the pH and hardness, the less erosion to existing shells that will occur.

 

[chazsgirl]

the ph is 7.6

 

[msjinkzd]

My pH out of the tap is 8.0 but I still add vacation type blocks to my snail tanks to try and help buffer further. Feeding the calcium rich diets ensures thick new growth, and with a pH of 7.6 you should be ok, but the water cannot be too hard for the snails.

 

[chazsgirl]

not sure how hard the water is but I have had them for a few months and haven't gotten better, the babies are perfect but is there a way to get the adults to look as good as the babies?

 

[msjinkzd]

there isn't really any way to reverse damage done, just to ensure that it doesn't progress or continue.

 

[chazsgirl]

well they looked like this when I got them and I have been trying to make it better, there is a small difference but nothing too great. would I be able to add a liquid calcium to the water?

 

[msjinkzd]

you can use kent's liquid calcium, but not at marine strength. Please be careful to dilute it and do not pour it directly onto the critters.

 

[chazsgirl]

oh ok I saw that in the store but wasn't sure, so should I put it in some water and slowly pour it in (like aquarium salt)?

 

[msjinkzd]

i just make sure to not pour it directly on the critters.