Calcium

[Red]

I need some calcium to make my guppies have stronger bodies. What should I get, is there a buffer somewhere out that, like a tablet?

[rich311k]

Baking soda comes to mind.

[Red]

How much should I add to the tank? Would crushed coral do the same thing?

[rich311k]

Yes crushed coral would do the samething. If use the baking soda experiment and see what you need to add to your tap water to raise the KH a bit.

[Scrup]

I actually just switched from crushed coral to an aragonite substrate in my livebearer tank. Worked really well for raising the hardness.

[Red]

I dont want to make it my whole substrate, i was thinking like a bio bag or something.

[Lab_Rat]

Baking soda has no calcium in it. It is sodium bicarbonate. Crushed coral in a media bag in your filter should help harden the water. Or move to Texas, we have liquid rock for water.

[Scrup]

Aragonite works in the filter as well. easier to clean off than CC too. Just need a bag fine enough to hold it.

Or move to Texas. Whatever is easier.

(I do not miss central texas water at all..everything else I miss, but the water, I could never go back to showering in that liquid limestone)

[Red]

its also 15 more then crushed coral. If i bought it, i would want to use it as substrate for a tank :). And the reason why i cant use either on the bottom is that the gravel is bright red. :) Thanks everyone. And labby, you just keep sending me water every week.

[Spardas]

I use this for my tanks:

http://www.marinedepot.com/E.S.V._Calcium_Chloride_800_g_Dry_Calcium_Additive s_Supplements-E.S.V.-EV2120-FIADCADC-EV2121-vi.html

I use it to prevent calcium deficiency and help prevent split fins and to boost overall health of fishes.

[Scrup]

its also 15 more then crushed coral. If i bought it, i would want to use it as substrate for a tank :). And the reason why i cant use either on the bottom is that the gravel is bright red. :) Thanks everyone. And labby, you just keep sending me water every week.


Where are you buying it at? I picked up a bunch this weekend for $8 a bag at petco.

[Red]

Oh really? I might have to check that out tomorrow.

[Lab_Rat]

Aragonite works in the filter as well. easier to clean off than CC too. Just need a bag fine enough to hold it.

Or move to Texas. Whatever is easier.

(I do not miss central texas water at all..everything else I miss, but the water, I could never go back to showering in that liquid limestone)

I hate the water here, have to rinse the dog's bowl in vinegar every couple of weeks to remove the calcium buildup. Also keeps me from owning GBRs, but my africans love it.

[Scrup]

http://www.petco.com/product/112009/Nature-s-Ocean-Aragonite-Sand.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch

There ya go. - also it rinses really easy compared to other sands I have used.

[rich311k]

Baking soda has no calcium in it. It is sodium bicarbonate. Crushed coral in a media bag in your filter should help harden the water. Or move to Texas, we have liquid rock for water.

Oops, sorry Red. I am getting old.