Mystery snail shells

I have 3 adult and 6 baby mystery snails in my snail only tank. I use coral as substrate and add calcium carbonate when i do water em changes about every week. I have diatoms that are beginning to be under control in last couple days. I use tap water that has been tested and no chlorine in it with prime conditioner when i do change water. Some of my snails shells are looking bad with holes and imperfections and some have perfect shells. I don't want them to be suffering. What am i doing wrong? Ph-7.6-7.8, amonia is now at zero, nitrite at zero, nitrates stay below 40.

 

What kinds of food do you feed? Is it calcium rich?

 

I feed them crab cuisine and mini algae wafers as well as zucchini here and there.

 

I feed them crab cuisine and mini algae wafers as well as zucchini here and there.

There have been a surprising amount of threads asking about shell erosion in the past week. At least I can finally use all of my snail experience for something good!

It’s interesting that you’re still facing shell issues, even with crushed coral. Either way, the best way to help them now is dietary calcium. I would add a piece of cuttlebone to the tank for them to rasp on. It’s frequently sold in the bird section of pet stores.

You can also feed them some tums. Just throw in a couple. Avoid the mint flavor, but the berry flavor works great.

What are your kh and gh?

 

I get my kh and gh api test kit today i believe from Amazon. What should it be and how can I fix it needed?

 

I get my kh and gh api test kit today i believe from Amazon. What should it be and how can I fix it needed?

Honestly, you shouldn’t have any issues with it. Crushed coral raises your ph, gh, and kh to good levels for snail shells. The shell issues are probably just due to lack of dietary calcium. Fix the diet, and the shells should start looking good again.

 

Their shells will heal or they're always gonna have those? I thought I was feeding them enough calcium rich foods. Is crab cuisine and zucchini here and there arent enough? How do i know how much food to put in tank?

 

Their shells will heal or they're always gonna have those? I thought I was feeding them enough calcium rich foods. Is crab cuisine and zucchini here and there arent enough? How do i know how much food to put in tank?

Snail shells continue growing throughout their lives. With a few months of extra calcium rich foods, they should look perfect again.

Mystery snails are always hungry. They’re willing to eat any food available. I usually put in a large piece of zucchini/other vegetable or a decent pinch of shrimp pellets, and leave that there overnight. They always finish the pellets, but the zucchini usually has some remnants.

 

That's what I've been doing. Thanks