Cuttlebone for snails

[gloria77503]

When I was at Petsmart last night, looking for a calcium supplement for my snails, the lady who usually works in the fish department told me I could use regular cuttlebone that they sell for birds.   I bought a 2-pack because it was only $1.99, got home and checked the internet.  A lot of snail sites recommended bird cuttlebone for calcium for snails, saying just to put it in the aquarium - wedge it in the substrate or wedge it in an ornament so that it stays down. 

Tonight when I got off work, I broke the cuttlebone into pieces and put a bit in each aquarium, but now I'm wondering - will it hurt the fish?  Will it raise the pH of the water (my water is around 7.5 pH). 

Has anyone else ever used cuttlebone for their snails?  It's cheap, if it works!

Thanks.

[daveedka]

cuttlebone will dissolve slowly enough that you will probably not notice a change in pH. The snails will graze on it to get calcium.

In a technical sense it will raise pH if you aren't above 7.6-7.8 already, but it would certainly not hurt your fish or snails in any way and will likely help them.

I've used it for many years in exactly the manner that was reccomended to you.

Dave

[gloria77503]

Thanks, Dave.  It sounded reasonable.  Right now, mine is just floating around because I haven't gotten around to wedging the pieces in anywhere.  Anyway, thanks for the reassurance!

[RTR...Grumpy Ole Fogie]

For the snails to be able to graze it well, it really need to be fastened down, soft side exposed.

[Corwin]

gonna hijack this for second:

would cuttle bone be good for shrimp as well as snails, as i know shrimp need calcium..i use kent's marine..but it is hard to dose for a freshwater as the directions as only for saltwater tanks (i always worry if i put too much or not enough for my shrimp n snails)..and cuttle bone sounds much easier

[gloria77503]

Thanks, RTR!  I will go about fastening them down sometime this weekend.

Corwin, I googled cuttlebone and shrimp, and it seems it's okay for shrimp, too, although for some reason, the people thought it was expensive.  I don't see it as expensive at all.   

[daveedka]

I've never seen my shrimp graze the cuttlebone, but that doesn't mean they don't. I use Calcium Sulphate from Gregg Watson for my Calcium additions. It's much cheaper and somewhat easier than the KEnt liquid. Either way The shrimp do not need seem to need as much as the snails, but neither does well without plenty.

Gregg Watsons store is http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com/store/categories.php

Calcium Sulphate dissolves very easily, and does not alter pH. IF you want to Raise the pH and add calcium Both, Calcium carbonate would work.

I add the Calcium Sulphate powder to my snail food, as well as dose it in the tanks.


I guess that just added to the hijack, sorry Gloria.

Dave

[mduros]

I've been keeping cuttlebone in my tanks for the shrimp and snails for a couple of years now and haven't seen any adverse affects in using it.
Take care,
Mary.

[Emily]

I use cuttlebone too, no ill affects.

Also... I saw some cuttlebone that was "berry" flavored for birds... and I wonder if my brigs would like it...

[Corwin]

thanks for the answer and letting hijack the thread guys

@em..the berry flavored might have harmful additives though...cause i doubt a squid naturally tastes like berries

[Emily]

That's true, but if it's safe for birds to eat (and birds are sensitive to toxins, generally speaking), I figured it would be ok for snails.

I haven't tried it, though! So nobody do it and say I said it was ok! lol I'll do some more research on it.

[gloria77503]

:-)

I don't mind thread hijacks at all.  I'm glad we comobined the shrimp with the snails in the cuttlebone thread. 

Yes, the lady at Petsmart told me there were banana flavored cuttlebones for birds, too, but that I probably would do better sticking with the plain ones.