Apple Snail Shells

[Donya]

Old shell growth always erodes first--the protective protein layer has had the most time there to get beaten down so it doesn't protect against low Ph. I distinct improvement in new shell quality means you're on the right track

BTW not sure what powder you're using, but baking soda can also be used to raise Ph very effectively in freshwater snail tanks. Test the amount needed on a bucket of water, and just make sure it's good and dissolved in a cup of tank water before you poor it in.

 

[guppler]

Baking soda.....
i may try that.
Thanks Donya
The powder I got at the store way back is Seachem Neutral regulator.

I've noticed that usually the older parts of the shell show more damage than newer parts, but there just happens to be a particullarly distinct line between the old and new parts of the black snail's shell, whereas on the snails that were born at my house the difference seems to be more gradual, generally. It might have something to do with the color of the shell, or stress or nutrition or something.

 

[Donya]

IME seachem neutral regulator is not the best choice for snails where shell erosion is concerned. You really need your Ph over 7.0, not at 7.0. I think you will find better results in snail shell growth if you ditch the specieal formula Ph stuff and use plain old baking soda to bring the water up to 7.2 or higher.

 

[guppler]

ok

 

[love_fish]

I have low pH too, and I'm interested in getting snails. How much baking soda should you add. Like how much of it, will rasi the pH ___ amount?

 

[Donya]

There's no simple formula, since amount depends on water hardness and several other factors. The thing to do is get a bucket, put 1 gallon of tap water (or whatever water you want to change the Ph of) in the bucket, and start adding baking soda. Test the Ph along the way until you get it to where you want it. You'll need a liquid Ph test kit, since you'll go through as many as 5 tests doing that...strips are too expensive to do that with. If you want to aim for something in the 7.8+ range, use a high range liquid Ph test kit instead of a regular one.

After you're through with that, you'll know how much baking soda per gallon you need. Make sure it's completely diluted in a cup of water though before you add it if you need to poor it straight into the tank.