Snail Shell erosion - what can I add?

[jessibell]

I've had a 1.5 gallon going with some pond snails and a couple small ramshorns and I am starting to notice the shells eroding. I am assuming I need to add calcium to the water (I am trying to breed them so I want them to develop well!) Is this due to lack of calcium, low pH, low general hardness? The pH test I bought a while ago didn't have the colour chart so although I have the test i have no way or knowing what it means :/

 

[fishguy1]

I use a piece of cuttle bone in my snail tank.

 

[jessibell]

Yes I have heard this one - do the snails eat it or does it just diffuse into the water? Do you have to change it every so often?

 

[Jason7894561230]

What you can do it grind it up into tiny peices and spread it on the bottom of the tank. They will go over it and eat it at the same time. As for changing i dont think you need too

 

[fishguy1]

I wedged it under an ornament. I haven't noticed the snails eating it, but it definitely helped with their shells. I know it floated when I first put it in the tank, hence the wedging it part, but maybe now it doesn't...I don't know though, I haven't touched it since I put it in. I don't think you need to change it.

 

[Coleallensmom]

I've heard all sorts of things, cuttle bones, tums..I've never tried those, but I do drop a piece of a weekend feeder tab in my tank every now and then. I know a lot of people hate those things, but they are full of calcium and my snails (and shrimp) love them.

 

[Tim Wheatley]

Ground egg shells are another option for you.

 

[HN1]

Cuttle bones (or small aragonite pieces) are the best thing I've used. The cuttle bones do not get eaten. They dissolve into the water raising carbonate hardness. They will initially float, but they do sink after awhile.