more calcium???

[ChrissyFishy]

:icon_snail:I have a bunch of new snails and I already had some. I add liquid calcium and stuff but should I add more if there is more snails? my water is very soft. :FishQuestion:

[CACAdmin]

I'm not sure Chrissy, I don't increase it as I increase the number of snails. I guess it depends upon how much you're adding now, as they will only use so much from the water column. If the snails you've kept up until this point are maintaining good shells then they're getting an adequate amount, a large portion of which is from what you are feeding them (obviously some calcium rich food). So I'd say continue as you have been doing. That's my two cents worth but I'm sure some of the snail-folk around here will pop by with some advice.

[Pamelajo]

I also do not increase calcium based on increase in snails. I use Kent's liquid calcium and only add it once a week max dose. When I have a batch of babies I will add it twice a week, just because they are growing so much. Some add liquid calcium daily. Like Jay said the food plays a big part.

[Melody]

I increase it if I have a lot of snails in the tank because our water is so horrible, but I don't use a full dose in the first place. If you use the full dose I wouldn't increase it because the dose is for marine tanks. I think adding the extra dose as Pam does rather than adding more at one time would be a better idea, whatever amount you use. I add it when I do a waterchange and sometimes in between but its not the norm. I like the idea though, I think I'll start doing that too.

Incidentally, if a snail can't get the calcium that they need from the environment, they'll get at least some from their food. However, it takes much more energy for them to utilize the calcium in food for their shells than it does for them to use it from the environment.

Good question!

[CACAdmin]

. However, it takes much more energy for them to utilize the calcium in food for their shells than it does for them to use it from the environment.

Good question!
I had forgotten about the energy requirements. Thanks for reminding me!

[ChrissyFishy]

:spinny: where do you guys find this stuff!!!! :laugh: Thank you everyone!!!!:notworthy:

[Melody]

That one was in a scientific study of applesnails in the wild I believe - I do some pretty extensive searching :Embarassing: .

[Lednail]

How much Calcium shouls i be adding for my snails and srimp? And is there any other thing i should be adding to the water?

[Melody]

How hard is your water?

For snails, some people with hard water add nothing at all and the snails do fine. Others add calcium anyway. The amount varies as you can see in the thread, but don't use too much at once when you first start adding - you can gradually increase it with waterchanges.

Shrimp are a little more tricky as different species require different parameters. What species do you have?