Oyster Shell For Snails?

Someone here recommended cuttle bone for my snails.

I'm curious is crushed oyster shell would be comparably beneficial. I did a brief google search and found this
Exert: " Oyster Shell for Aquarium Use: Aquatic creatures that require a higher pH and/or love alkaline water, will noticeably respond to the addition of oyster shell. It is perfect for healthy, smooth shell development in snails. Cichlids, Livebearers or other fish with requirements for a higher pH & alkalinity will thrive beautifully with this addition to their environment. Not only will it contribute to an optimum environment, but it also adds stability to that environment by increasing KH (buffering) levels. This helps to prevent deadly pH fluctuations and system crashes.


Oyster Shell is considered to be superior for buffering due to it's particle size & shape, which allows for aeration and graduated dissolution. Another great thing about oyster shell is it dissolves noticeably as it depletes. Unlike coral, you don't have to guess when it's time to add more. Pour some into a media bag (or nylon stocking) and add it to your filter or other source of water movement. Add more when you notice that it's low - that's all there is to it!


Like anything that impacts pH, oyster shell should be added in small increments until the desired parameters are reached. Using too much too quickly will cause a dramatic change in pH, which can harm your aquatic livestock, plants and beneficial bacteria. It is recommended that you add a small amount every few days to a week and test the water parameters until you reach the desired levels. Please familiarize yourself with aquarium chemistry before using any pH adjuster. Note: Oyster shell or any buffering media should be cleaned periodically to ensure top efficiency levels."

I get animal grade shells for my chickens anyway. here

So, can I use this ? Should it be scattered or added to the filter?
Does anyone here use oyster?

 

I've never used oyster shells, I use crushed coral, but the concept is the same. I find it easier to put the crushed coral (or in your case oyster shells) in the filter. I have a canister filter so I just add it loose in one of the trays. But if I had a HOB (hang on back) filter, I would put the crushed coral into a media bag and stuff it into my filter. If it didn't fit in the filter I would just put the media bag directly in the tank.

There would be nothing wrong with scattering it in with the substrate other than it would be difficult to remove some if you had put too much in.

 

Thank you, any idea how much for 50 gallon tank? I have 2 mystery, 2 avg. size nerite and 2 tiny horned nerite snails.
More importantly, how do I know if I've used too much or too little?

 

Hard to say without current parameters. Are your snails showing signs of Ca deficiency? If you aren't using remineralized RO, or your tap water isn't acidic, you shouldn't have to add Ca. Most tap water in the US is already alkaline, my water (well) is liquid rock.
I think it's always better to focus on nutrition (you FEED chickens yes?), rather than mess with water parameters unless you have fish that do best in hard water like African cichlids. The key for water chemistry is consistency. Animals will adapt, (within reason of course), constant fluctuation is problematic and rates of dissolution is almost impossible to measure. It's tough trying to keep parameters stable, especially when doing water changes unless you first add Ca to the new water and test. That's just way too much work IMHO. Reef tank guys are beasts if you ask me. They have to control EVERYTHING. Interesting that there's ad's for oyster shell below.......just sayin'

 

I have used crushed coral as well (also in my filter, in a media bag - I would do the same with oyster shells as well). I bought that same animal grade oyster shell, but was never sure if I should use it. So, I bought crushed coral for aquarium use to be on the safe side.

**This is MOST important though, and to answer your last question, you absolutely need a GH/KH test kit (they're around $7-$9 dollars on Amazon) so you know how much to add, and you will also need to know your starting parameters as well (also, something to consider before altering your parameters, are the other inhabitants in this tank - do you have fish that need softer water? In which case, middle of the road params are best, and getting the snails their extra calcium can be done through diet as well).

It takes awhile for crushed coral (or oyster shell) to work though, I've added some to a tank with my very soft tap water (2° KH; 2° GH) and it's taken 4 days or so for it to have its full effects, so keep that in mind. I use Alkaline Buffer by Seachem now, its more precise, and gives me a specific KH, (this also allows me to match incoming water change water to my tank parameters/water) but with this, you will also need a test kit to know what your levels are, as well as what you're starting with. Now, calcium is usually obtained through GH, I use Seachem equilibrium for that. (Testing necessary for that as well ) There's other measures I take for my snails because of my very soft water (which is not the norm for most of this country), and that includes adding calcium to their diet. (I'd have slightly eroded shells on my hands otherwise! If I used straight tap... I'd have truly messed up snails that wouldn't last long at all, sadly. I really enjoy my snails too, if that's not apparent LOL! Funny thing is, I didn't think I would enjoy them this much, when I first got them!)


If you're worried about getting calcium to your snails, I'd like to suggest something that I do for my many snails, (mystery and ramshorns) and as odd as my suggestion/method may sound, it works great for getting calcium into a snail's diet. You familiar with those vacation feeder blocks? I like Omega One brand the best. Now, normally, they are horrible to leave in a tank with fish only, a lot of brands will foul the water, and wreak havoc... they are highly frowned upon by most fish keepers (and maybe should be by fish keepers... However, snail keepers are an exception!!) I learned this trick long ago from experts on an old snail forum, and you definitely want to get the right ones (look above and ask fish keepers why some are bad LOL!), I'll just make it simple, and recommend, knowing they are of great quality: the Omega One brand "shells" (PetSmart has them, I'm not sure if Petco does? But Amazon definitely has them too). They can graze on these blocks as they need calcium, (in addition to their regular, hopefully calcium-rich foods) and unlike cuttlebone, they don't rot and foul the water (and I've heard of cuttlebones doing this quite frequently). Apparently they will slightly dissolve into the water to some extent, making the calcium and other minerals available in that way as well. Usually (as far as I know) they may only really slightly dissolve in "softer" water. But these do not cloud or foul the water, and I've used this brand for awhile! The snails enjoy them too! **This way, you will not effect your parameters, or cause a wild swing. But it will ensure they have proper calcium for their shells.


Also, FYI, I don't use the "blocks" [they're actually shaped like shells] for any of my fish - only for my plethora of snails.

Edited to add that I agree with Derek S.. didn't see his reply until after I posted! You definitely need to test BEFORE adding anything.

Confused about the oyster shell ad comment though LOL! ?? (I don't see ads on my phone)

Question: have you noticed any pits or shell imperfections on your snails?

 

Confused about the oyster shell ad comment though LOL! ?? (I don't see ads on my phone)

Question: have you noticed any pits or shell imperfections on your snails?

LOL! I'm on my PC. I'm not complaining mods! I fully understand why these sites run ads. It's actually pretty convenient when you really need stuff.

 

LOL! I'm on my PC. I'm not complaining mods! I fully understand why these sites run ads. It's actually pretty convenient when you really need stuff.

LOL! Very true! Also, I knew you weren't complaining! Just don't see ads on my phone, so it threw me for a second! Haha

 

Kh/gh both 2
Calcium is currently at 100 ppl. I completed the test with 5 drops. Added shells today. Will check everyday.

What final levels am I shooting for?
The pamphlets say 3 -6 for gh/kh and about 500ppm for calcium