Liquid calcium

[Alasse]

Í decided to go liquid as i am going to get a 3ft tank made for my apple snails + 2x 2ft tanks, so i figured this would be cheaper than the number of turtle blocks i'll require.

Just wondering what dosage you would recommend? ml/litre or ml/gal (i'll convert)

The one i have is Seachem reef complete.

[Cliff]

Wish I could help, but I know nothing about dosing Cal in FW tanks

Have you considered offering calcium rich veggies ?

[850R]

Wish I could help, but I know nothing about dosing Cal in FW tanks

Neither do I though I know some people simply add a cuttlefish bone to maintain Calcium levels.

[Alasse]

Yep, they get calcium veg and are on shellgrit/sand substrate

The water is super soft, they need extra :)

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

You need to be very careful adding liquid calcium to FW. The calcium products such as the one you mentioned are generally quite concentrated. In a marine environment this usually isn't a problem since calcium levels are usually around 400-450ppm with a pH of 8.1-8.4, but in a FW environment they can have quite the effect on water chemistry. Personally, I'd find another way to get calcium to your snails.

[Alasse]

Other than loading the tank with cacium blocks, this is the only other way.

Cassie i'm sure uses liquid calcium, thats where i got the idea from. Only a few drops but i need an idea on dosage.

[850R]

Other than loading the tank with cacium blocks, this is the only other way. Cassie i'm sure uses liquid calcium, thats where i got the idea from. Only a few drops but i need an idea on dosage.
But there is another option & it's in the same sentence, From here: ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.])
I then began looking over my myserty snails, only to notice one of the snails lost a huge chunk of his shell!!! I have cuttle bone in the tank, and use Kent's calcium liquid for the tank every other day. (

[Alasse]

Cuttlebone is not going to add enough. Hence why Cassie also adds liquid :).

I am using rainwater, it is extremely soft. I already have them on shellgrit, and feed calcium foods. Because my snail tanks are specifically used for breeding them i need to do quite a few water changes, slow releases are not going to be adequate. I'm looking for how much to add of the liquid.

[850R]

Understood, I had no idea how much you need.

I can't help with the dosing.

Good luck

[Alasse]

No probs :) I should have explained earlier...sorry :)

[Alasse]

Soooo i've gone with 2ml in 140L, will see how that goes

[mermaidwannabe]

Try a small amount and see how it works.

Personally, I would be very leary of putting a marine product into a freshwater tank. It's designed for saltwater for a reason, and unless the label says it can be used for both, I wouldn't chance it.

I do put seashells in my FW tank, but I make sure they're completely clean. What tiny bits of calcium they leach out ever so slowly really doesn't have much of an impact. And I like the aesthetics of having the shells.

I just wish some of these better aquarium product companies would make a liquid calcium specifically for freshwater tanks. A lot of us need that, but all that's available in liquid form is marine only.

I think I'll suggest this to Seachem and some of these others. Maybe they'll eventually come up with something for us FWers.

-- mermaidwannabe

[Scrup]

You have a few options actually. Look into a calcium reactor, or just use aragonite as a substrate and/or add limestone decor.

I refuse to believe that using a store bought calcium source is your only option.

In your case, with the frequent changes, I would setup a calcium reactor. It will be much cheaper in the long run.

[jessfish]

I use liquid calcium (Kent's Marine) in my freshwater tank - it hasn't affect the pH & i use the dose that is on the bottle (5ml for 50gal). i've been doing that everyday on a 46gal tank & haven't had a problem yet. Somepeople do every other day & haven't had any problems either

[Alasse]

Liquid calcium will do the same as a calcium reactor, and for a lot cheaper, no messing with CO2 etc.
Argonite/limestone/sea shells addition will not work for my situation, both of these will release too slowly.

jessfish - Thanx for your input. I'll continue to use the liquid, its inexpensive and very easy to access. I've done a PH test and what i added has not changed the PH, so i am happy to continue this way

I really cant see where the liquid will do any harm. The only thing in my tanks is snails, so really they can only benefit from the calcium addition. Its not causing any tank stat changes. I'll just start with a lower dose and take it from there til i find the sweet spot.

Thanx guys

[jessfish]

Liquid calcium will do the same as a calcium reactor, and for a lot cheaper, no messing with CO2 etc.
Argonite/limestone/sea shells addition will not work for my situation, both of these will release too slowly.

jessfish - Thanx for your input. I'll continue to use the liquid, its inexpensive and very easy to access. I've done a PH test and what i added has not changed the PH, so i am happy to continue this way

I really cant see where the liquid will do any harm. The only thing in my tanks is snails, so really they can only benefit from the calcium addition. Its not causing any tank stat changes. I'll just start with a lower dose and take it from there til i find the sweet spot.

Thanx guys

Ya i've heard good things about it from enough people who put it in freshwater that i figured i would try. I've also read that it is very hard to overdose a freshwater tank with liquid calcium (i haven't heard anything about fish reacting bad to it). i had the same problem sea shells, cuttle bone, crushed up cuttle bone & coral, even baked egg shells didnt do anything for my snails...& the turtle blocks get expensive!

[jessfish]

One other thing - im not sure if your doing this, but mix the liquid calcium with a bit of the tank water then pour it in...i don't know why i've just heard this from other people thumbs2:

[Alasse]

Awesome thanx.

I did mix it with a bit of water in a bottle first then poured it in. Though i cant see where just intermittant squirting the 2ml into the tank itself would do any harm, would soon disperse in current. But if that is what is recommended i'll continue that way...thanx for the info