my snail's shell is getting eattin away because their is not enough calcium in the water, Could I add a Tum to the water...yes I know this sounds a little silly... but for real?? can I??
ps. for those who don't know, snails dont eat the calcium! haha
2007-02-04 14:32:00 · 8 answers · asked by Tracey Lee ♥ 2 in Pets ➔ Fish
That's OK I wish I knew about yahoo answers when my large Apple Snail was sick. Had the same problem.
Give greens like mustard greens, Broccoli etc. weight them down to the bottom. That will help. and actually it will make a pretty addition to the aquarium until it is half eaten up.
I also think there is a liquid calcium but I could never find it.
2007-02-04 14:40:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I wouldn't recommend the Tums - in addition to other ingredients, Tums is designed to dissolve rapidly. The calcium carbonate it contains will raise the pH of your water an potentially kill any fish. I did a little web research and found a UK site that advised using cuttlebone. You can find this in the bird section of any pet store - probably even WalMart. I wouldn't use a whole piece, just break a section off an weight it down with a rock. The cuttlebone comes from a cuttlefish (small squid), so the ingredients are all natural. It doesn't dissolve in water, but can get fungus growing on it if left in the water too long (that's why I recommend just using pieces and changing them so they dry out between uses. I've used it for turtles to keep their beaks trimmed and as a calcium supplement.
http://www.petsnails.co.uk/problems/not_eating_calcium.html
Good luck with the snails!
2007-02-04 22:49:31 · answer #2 · answered by copperhead 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can find liquid calcium to your tank which you can find at most pet stores. Even though i do not suggest anyone buying animalsfrom petco.... they usually have everything you need to care for your aquatic friends. Right now they have Kent Marine Concentrated Liquid Calcium on sale online for $26.97. It is a 64 0z. bottle w/ the directions on the back. I am sure you can find it in-store though, just ask for help. Good Luck!
EDIT: By the way people, Snails need to absorb the calcium... not consume it... Also, you can kill your aquatic animals by feeding them human food. Just thought you should know...
2007-02-05 04:33:41 · answer #3 · answered by Tiggy's Momma 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can add liquid calcium -- the kind made for reef (saltwater) tanks. For a freshwater tanks use only 1 to 2 drops per 5 gallons every few days...be careful not to overdo it.
You can also dose with reef iodine for shell health -- 1 to 2 drops per five gallons once a week.
2007-02-04 22:52:09 · answer #4 · answered by Mrs. B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont add the tums, but just go buy liquid calcium from the GNC.
2007-02-08 13:26:15 · answer #5 · answered by Jonathan B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't suggest adding the Tums because it has ingredients other than Calcium in it.
Any pet store should have either gravel with lots of calcium(limestone?) and they should have drops that you can add.
2007-02-04 22:37:17 · answer #6 · answered by kds0013 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm fairly sure snails get most of their calcium from food. Are you feeding it veggies? I recommend broccoli stems as they sink. Crushed peas, cabbage, and the like work, but may need to be wieght or soaked to sink.
2007-02-05 00:25:56 · answer #7 · answered by Sabersquirrel 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't suggest a tum, I don't think it would have the desired affect. If you go to your pet store and tell them your problem they should have a product to help calcify your water.
2007-02-05 01:11:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋