Why dose Calcium Carbonate and Dosing Schedule?

[gcis]

I have a 1 lbs bag of calcium carbonate that I ordered to make snail treats with but my snails won't touch any of the snacks I make them (they are addicted to veggies) so I know that some people dose calcium carbonate but I am not sure why. What are the benefits?

Also, how much would I dose and how often? I am following the EI dosing schedule and have the following stock:

55 gallon
2.9 WPG
anubias
crypts
amazon swords
Indian red swords
wisteria
ludwigia repens
java fern

Thanks!

 

[solution7]

http://www.rexgrigg.com/ferts.htm

Should Explain most of the information you need about dosing, also seachems site has a dosing regemine

 

[Riiz]

Calcium carbonate is dosed if your water is extremely soft or devoid of calcium. Plants need atleast 30ppm for healthy growth. Plus the advantage of Ca carbonate over sulfate is that it buffers kH at the same time.

 

[gcis]

I have extremely hard water............so I shouldn't dose it?

 

[jmhart]

If you have extremely hard water, you don't need to, and I would recommend not, dosing it.

With hard water, there is plenty of Ca for the snails and plants, and your carbonate hardness should be fine.