short question:
Can I use magnesium carbonate (instead of a calcium additive) to help my snails survive and thrive in a tank with a KH of 0?
detail:
In one of my tanks the ramshorns snails don't do too well.
I use London tap water, but the substrate (Akadama) pulls the KH down to 0.
The same water and same snails do fine in another tank with inert sand substrate.
I know I can use crushed oyster grit (or similar) to raise the KH.
But, as my water is already high in calcium, and low in magnesium, I'd prefer to add some magnesium.
That way the plants can benefit as well.
But do the snails mind what the added hardness is comprised of?
Can I use magnesium carbonate (instead of a calcium additive) to help my snails survive and thrive in a tank with a KH of 0?
detail:
In one of my tanks the ramshorns snails don't do too well.
I use London tap water, but the substrate (Akadama) pulls the KH down to 0.
The same water and same snails do fine in another tank with inert sand substrate.
I know I can use crushed oyster grit (or similar) to raise the KH.
But, as my water is already high in calcium, and low in magnesium, I'd prefer to add some magnesium.
That way the plants can benefit as well.
But do the snails mind what the added hardness is comprised of?