Calcium Supplement in a Freshwater Tank (urgent)

Hi all,

I have an understocked 20-gallon tank with 3 guppies, 1 honey gourami, and 3 mystery snails.

My pH is pretty low (6.8-7.0) and I know that isn't ideal for the snails. I've noticed some cracking on 2 of the snail's shells (pictures attached) and found out that they need more calcium. I've been feeding them algae pellets in addition to leaving algae on the glass for them to eat. Will adding the calcium supplement in small doses harm the fish? Is there a specific method I should use to introduce it to the tank?

Thanks

 

Do you have a GH test kit? (general hardness)

It's the sum of Ca and Mg. Tapwater is usually made up of mostly Ca, with some Mg, but the GH test kit sees both.

 

Do you have a GH test kit? (general hardness)

It's the sum of Ca and Mg. Tapwater is usually made up of mostly Ca, with some Mg, but the GH test kit sees both.

Yes! My GH is pretty soft at 80

If this information helps, my tap water is very acidic. I have to dose the water with pH increase before I add it to the tank.

 

Hi all,

I have an understocked 20-gallon tank with 3 guppies, 1 honey gourami, and 3 mystery snails.

My pH is pretty low (6.8-7.0) and I know that isn't ideal for the snails. I've noticed some cracking on 2 of the snail's shells (pictures attached) and found out that they need more calcium. I've been feeding them algae pellets in addition to leaving algae on the glass for them to eat. Will adding the calcium supplement in small doses harm the fish? Is there a specific method I should use to introduce it to the tank?

Thanks

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I may be way off but I used to keep turtles and the lack of calcium also softens their shells but it was also a lighting issue with the turtles not sure if it’s the same thing but something else to look into

 

I may be way off but I used to keep turtles and the lack of calcium also softens their shells but it was also a lighting issue with the turtles not sure if it’s the same thing but something else to look into

Did you have to increase or decrease the lighting?

 

Did you have to increase or decrease the lighting?

I need a different style I’m not sure but u might need something with uvb for the shell or at least with turtles

 

Get some cuddle bones and throw them in your tank they are rich with calcium. You can also feed your snails some blanched zucchini, spinach or any type of leafy greens that have calcium. My snails like zucchini the best.

 

1) I use snail jello 1x about every 2 weeks

baby food - spinach is my fav to use
some veggies - i have used cucumber, my last batch I added broccoli chopped up

freezer pectin - Ball is MFG, real fruit pectin. (the stuff you use for jams & jelly)

for calcium - i have used Wardley weekend feeder crushed in a mortar & pestle or Tums ( antacid)

mix ingredients & place into ice cube tray & freeze.



*snail jello will make a small tank look blah, so cut to appropriate portion size to not mess up your tank

2) Wonder shell

both work
I have 14 mystery snails currently , no big defects with shells. The adults were sold to me in less than perfect condition shellwise ( and were cheap). They have recovered fine.

I'm not sure how many Ramshorn snails I have spread over 4 tanks, well over 30+ , maybe 15 adults in total. they look fine, no defects.

 

Get some cuddle bones and throw them in your tank they are rich with calcium. You can also feed your snails some blanched zucchini, spinach or any type of leafy greens that have calcium. My snails like zucchini the best.

Where do you buy cuddle bones?

 

1) I use snail jello 1x about every 2 weeks

baby food - spinach is my fav to use
some veggies - i have used cucumber, my last batch I added broccoli chopped up

freezer pectin - Ball is MFG, real fruit pectin. (the stuff you use for jams & jelly)

for calcium - i have used Wardley weekend feeder crushed in a mortar & pestle or Tums ( antacid)

mix ingredients & place into ice cube tray & freeze.



*snail jello will make a small tank look blah, so cut to appropriate portion size to not mess up your tank

2) Wonder shell

both work
I have 14 mystery snails currently , no big defects with shells. The adults were sold to me in less than perfect condition shellwise ( and were cheap). They have recovered fine.

I'm not sure how many Ramshorn snails I have spread over 4 tanks, well over 30+ , maybe 15 adults in total. they look fine, no defects.

Thanks so much. Wondershell is safe to use in a community tank?? I ended up losing a snail unfortunately so now I'm down to two. I'm having a hard time finding any sort of "shell fixing" supplements in Petsmart.

 

Where do you buy cuddle bones?

At any pet store or I get mine on amazon

 

Thanks so much. Wondershell is safe to use in a community tank?? I ended up losing a snail unfortunately so now I'm down to two. I'm having a hard time finding any sort of "shell fixing" supplements in Petsmart.

yes! my 38 long is a Tetra - 5 skirt tetras, 8 black neons, 5 neons, 3 female bettas, many cory cats and snails.

Fish need calcium too. It does clean the tank so if you have gunk film, you can use it to clean it off. I just used my hands and rubbed the wondershell on the glass surface. Snails etc were fine. No adverse reactions.

 

At any pet store or I get mine on amazon

check bird aisle. I always bought those when I had a Nanday conure. it's self soothing chewing for beak growth.

 

Th

yes! my 38 long is a Tetra - 5 skirt tetras, 8 black neons, 5 neons, 3 female bettas, many cory cats and snails.

Fish need calcium too. It does clean the tank so if you have gunk film, you can use it to clean it off. I just used my hands and rubbed the wondershell on the glass surface. Snails etc were fine. No adverse reactions.

Great!!! Thanks so much. I’ll probably head to pet smart later and pick some up

 

check bird aisle. I always bought those when I had a Nanday conure. it's self soothing chewing for beak growth.

Thanks, good to know!! I can never find what I need in petsmart