Calcium for shrimps and snails

[maverick786us]

The calcium present in Aquarium fertilizer enough for shrimps and snails shell?

I use APT 3 and 1 lean dose

 

[Simon Cole]

I don't think <APT3> contains calcium.
Please do you have a water quality test report or details of your water source?

 

[maverick786us]

These are the water parameters of my shrimp tank

 

[maverick786us]

Chattahoochee River is the source of water in my city

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

The calcium present in Aquarium fertilizer enough for shrimps and snails shell?

What do the <"snail shells"> look like? I use <"their appearance"> as an indication of when I need to add a <"bit more tap water">. With shrimps it depends on the species Cherry Shrimps like harder water and Bee Shrimps softer water.

I just tend to watch the Ramshorn snail shells now. If I have some big, relatively red, snail shells the water has probably got harder and risen above 140 microS, and if I only have very small chalk white ones the water is softer and I'm probably below 80 microS..

I don't think <APT3> contains calcium.

It won't, none of the fertilisers will, mainly because of the issues with the solubility of <"calcium compounds">.

Chattahoochee River is the source of water in my city

<"Columbus Water Works"> - some where it says "soft water".

cheers Darrel

 

[Oldguy]

The calcium present in Aquarium fertilizer enough for shrimps and snails shell?

When you wash your hands with real soap from your tap water that has not been softened, do you get froth/lather or scum. The latter will indicate hard water and former soft water.
Calcium and magnesium are seldom added to aquarium ferts, the assumption is that they will be in your tap water. (Not always the case).

Calcium for your shrimps and snails should come via food.

Erosion of snail shells is a function of pH.

I inject CO2 and have small snails with very thin shells. Red cherry shrimps are fine and are breeding well. (Moult before erosion becomes an issue.)

If you want to increase hardness try adding calcium sulphate (not very soluble, parts per million only ie mg per litre. Or limestone rocks or crushed cockle shell or similar to substrate

 

[maverick786us]

When you wash your hands with real soap from your tap water that has not been softened, do you get froth/lather or scum. The latter will indicate hard water and former soft water.
Calcium and magnesium are seldom added to aquarium ferts, the assumption is that they will be in your tap water. (Not always the case).

Calcium for your shrimps and snails should come via food.

Erosion of snail shells is a function of pH.

I inject CO2 and have small snails with very thin shells. Red cherry shrimps are fine and are breeding well. (Moult before erosion becomes an issue.)

If you want to increase hardness try adding calcium sulphate (not very soluble, parts per million only ie mg per litre. Or limestone rocks or crushed cockle shell or similar to substrate

My tank is new so is the live stock, they are all healthy. But I am new to shrimp, I have cherry shrimp and Amano Shrimp. While doing my research I read that these shrimp shed their shell and new shell starts developing in their body. For which they need constant source of calcium. But if it's available in their food, then I don't have to worry. If I add dry almond leaves, will it make it better?

I have soft water

 

[Oldguy]

But if it's available in their food, then I don't have to worry. If I add dry almond leaves, will it make it better?

Never been a fan of adding leaves, but others are. My Cherries and Amanos just get fish food, they are part of the clean up squad, but often behave like bandits when it come to flake. My shrimp also like cucumber slices that I put in for the Otocinlus catfish.

All best wishes for you tank and livestock. (Always interesting to hear from people in other parts of the world).

 

[Oldguy]

But I am new to shrimp,

Sorry, forgot to say that the 'shrimp experts' talk about hardness as a factor in ease of moulting, I am not an expert on shrimp but there are many articles on line that will help in this matter. I know a guy who breeds shrimp for part of his living and he is fairly nerdy about pH and hardness, then he breeds them by the thousands.
I adjust my tank water to be moderately hard, but with no alkalinity, with calcium and magnesium nitrates (both very soluble) and run a nutrient rich water column for plant growth. Estimated Index.

 

[hypnogogia]

These are the water parameters of my shrimp tank

might be more helpful if you type the values out rather than posting difficult to read text on photos.