PDA

View Full Version : I'm going to have to stop trying to keep snails ...


mermaidwannabe
02-17-2011, 12:35 AM
It's not fair to them if I can't get sufficient calcium into their water without raising the pH through the roof, which would kill my fish.

I found Kent Concentrated Liquid Calcium in my PetSolutions catalog, and also found it online. I read the description and instructions, and it seems to be strictly a marine product. It might be safe to use in a freshwater tank, but no mention is made of that, and from what I've read, it is intended for high pH tanks with corals, etc. in them. I don't think that would be appropriate for my tank.

Perhaps those with cichlid tanks that require a high pH to begin with can use this product safely and derive benefit from it. But I don't want it raised that high in my community tank.

And since I can't get my trapdoors to eat algae pellets and my tank contains nothing for them to eat except the biofilm on the glass (no visible algae), they run the serious risk of starving to death. Don't know if they forage at night, but more often than not, when I see them, they are laying upside down on the substrate with their trapdoors sealed shut.

So, no more snails in my tanks. If I want inverts, I'll stick with RCS and when I get my 65-gallon set up, maybe a dwarf crayfish or two. The snails I have, I'll see if my LFS wants them.

-- mermaidwannabe

Cliff
02-17-2011, 12:39 AM
If you ever change your mind, you could try some calcium rich veggies for them. Seams to work great for my apple snail. The below read lists some good foods for that

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

CassieLEO
02-17-2011, 12:40 AM
Thats too bad that you are giving up on something.... The only side effect ive ever had of using it has been big, healthy snails and ive NEVER had a PH fluctuation....... But, you arent me, so I respect that you dont want to chance anything. Sorry to hear about that though...