Shrimps/snails calcium

[Rocky998]

I read few articles recently, that it is not "smart" to supplement calcium for snails, as they rarely will consume it this way, but it is better to build up their natural immunity to the water leaching the calcium out of their shells, by providing varied diet and calcium rich food (like spinach leaves, zucchini,..)

Not sure how it works, one reputable breeder here never supplements calcium by eggsgells or cuttlefish bone, but I know many keepers do it anyway.
Will let you know, I also opted to not go with supplements, but instead feed varied. We just have to wait few months for results...

Hm, I dont know about that... I believe you but I just really dont know if I should try that on this aquarium...

 

[StevenF]

A balanced diet help since all foods contain calcium and magnesium which animals and plants need. However shrimp and snails cannot really eat solid calcium (egg shells) easily. but they prefer water soluble calcium. Natural fresh water always has some calcium and magnesium dissolved in it (animals and plants need both). So if you have a measurable GH there is a good chance you have enough. However most fertilizers on the market don't have calcium even though plants need it. And if you have a lot of plant growth or don't do enough water changes. your water can become depleted in Calcium and enriched in magnesium which can be very bad for fish and shrimp.

Additionally a good healthy immune system is not going to protect a shrimp or snail from acidic water. Calcium in snail shells dissolved acidic water. The shell will not dissolve in water with a PH above 7. Additionally snails cannot self repair after being damaged by acidic water.

My recommendation is if your water has a very low GH or have some evidence suggesting calcium deficiency may be present by a GH booster at the store and boost your GH by about 1 degree GH. This should provide a enough water soluble GH (calcium and magnesium) for your animals . Now GH boosters can push the PH down slightly. which may cause shell erosion. To counter that put a decorative sea shell or piece of dead coral in the tank. In fresh water the shell will dissolve in acidic water and push to ph up to 7. Above a PH of 7 the erosion of the sea shell stops. The sea shell will push GH up slightly but by using the minimal amount of GH booster needed will minimize the GH increase.

 

[Sgooosh]

I read few articles recently, that it is not "smart" to supplement calcium for snails, as they rarely will consume it this way, but it is better to build up their natural immunity to the water leaching the calcium out of their shells, by providing varied diet and calcium rich food (like spinach leaves, zucchini,..)

Not sure how it works, one reputable breeder here never supplements calcium by eggsgells or cuttlefish bone, but I know many keepers do it anyway.
Will let you know, I also opted to not go with supplements, but instead feed varied. We just have to wait few months for results...

i feed egg shell with his fresh food, he seems to enjoy pieces of it