david f

To Diana ,and Folks

regarding the procedure,of calcium/magnesium dosing ,I have been trying to find suitable CaCl for water hardness,but an agricultre company here in N.Z says ,that CaCl/MgSo4 are (not compatiable for dairy cows) ,would it still be O.K to use this form of CaCl been a common fertiliser or a swimming pool store CaCl.



Many Thanks ,David N.Z.

rohape

This caught my eye in the sticky section. I was interested in it because of my snails. They need calcium for their shells. For those of you that haven't seen my posts, I love my snails, and I have A LOT of them.
I use "calcium disks" that I make from plaster of paris. It is Calcium Silicate. I know this isn't an exact science as what was described to reach an optimal GH, it's more of a willy nilly science. I use these all the time, mainly because of the high demand of my snails.
Would this method work to keep your GH high? I also use calcium pills from the local Walgreens.
I use DAP plaster of paris, and its VERY easy.
Just thought I would put in my two cents as an option if this is viable. I would be interested in any feedback.
Thanks!

newbie314

I use crushed eggshells - CaCO3 - Ca for the plants and animals, CO3 for the buffer and the plants (supplement for CO2).

Funny snails are mentioned. As soon as I drop it, the snails seem to eat it (or they are eating the left over membrane). I think I've even seen snail poop that was white. Maybe they are eating too much of a good thing.

Does pooped CaCO3 disolve fast

bencozzy

calcium chloride can be hard on some plant species if your having to dose it regularly.

im using calcium sulfate, for my snail and shrimp tanks with no ill effects on the plants or animals. the animals actually are looking better.

Diana K

I have used Oystershell grit, sold for small caged birds. I only use this in tanks where I want both KH and GH to come up a bit. I prepare the water change water to match the tank, though, not wait for the grit to dissolve (it dissolves very slowly). It is there to keep thing stable in case the pH starts to drop. I think I have just about the same amount now as I had a few years ago when I first opened the box. It seems not to dissolve. I think this suggests that my Lake Tanganyika tanks are pretty stable and might not even need it.

I have used cuttlebone as a source of minerals for Apple snails, it dissolves so slowly that it does not seem to affect GH or KH. I know it can, it is just not a problem in my tanks. Small piece of cuttlebone, large tank...

dawntwister

Rohape I have a question concerning DAP plaster of paris you used. Did you put it in before or after fish introduced to the tank. Did you mix it into the substrate?

rohape

Oh, none of those. I make "cookies" with it. It's for my snails. This is in an established aquarium. If you want more in depth info just PM me.

david f

Hi everyone,


I have not been on for a while but still have a great interest with my fish keeping.
(This is a topic of a little confusion for me and I would really like to know how I can dissolve calcium carbonate in water.)Quote from wikipedia calcium carbonate:People with hard water have a problem with lime scale.water from under ground aquifiers etc, as drinking water,can be exposed to higher levels of Co2 than the normal atmosphere,(it is my under standing Co2 will dissolve calcium carbonate at higher concentrations)Over time the water from the tap will out gas the Co2 and cause this (preciption) or lime scale.So that tells me that soft water like what I have in my Tap has very little Co2, and does not dissolve the CaCo3 that I add.Poeple with hard water must have the same problem with there (lime scale) at the tap or kettle.( Co2 loss from water cause CaCo3 to become poorly soluble.

So does hard water become softer water over time because of the loss of Co2?

rohape

It's been a while, but I read the same thing on Wikipedia. The following is merely speculation.
I don't know that it really dissolves in water, but that it is consumed.....which leads me to wonder now "how" it is consumed.
I know my snails scrape at the crushed shells I have. But now for the plants, how do they obtain the calcium if I'm not dosing CO2 to help in the dissolution.
I think hardwater becomes softer because of the absorption of the metals.
Hmm, good questions and points.

david f

tap water for use in my aquarium is very soft water.we have many under ground springs all around our area and is my only source to use .I need to raise the pH from 5.5 using a couple of calcium carbonate tablets and vinger to balance the sudden raise.after about a week or so the chlorine has gone GH is about 25ppm and KH much the same,but still very soft water ,with a pH way up to 8.0 if I don't use enough vinger .I use a 200 Ltr plastic drum to prepare all this .I might start to use a little soil water ,Brackish minerals for Cichlids and (marine calcium reactor?)just to give the water a little more life for the ecosystem???