Calcium Suppliments In Freshwater Tanks

[stanleo]

I used to put a calcium block once a month in my tanks for the snails and shrimp. Before I did this I always noticed weak, transparent or holes in the shells of my snails and my shrimp had molting problems.
 
Now that I moved to a different state I can't find them anywhere. They were sold for turtle tanks to help with their shell but worked great for the FW tanks. My question is, can I dose calcium supplements designed for SW tanks? If I can, how much should I use? I have 10 mystery snails (Ampulariidea) and 3 bamboo shrimp. Fish are angel, gouramis, tetras and rasporas, corys and a pleco. GH is 8 dGH and KH is 4 dKH. PH is 7.2. Tank is 55gl with live plants.

 

[Byron]

I would not use any SW products, as thery may contain other substances (salt and other minerals) besides calcium and this can cause more trouble.  I have never used nor researched into the calcium blocks, but I do have experience raising the calcium for my plants and some fish.  My tap water is basically zero GH.
 
With the fish you name, I would not want to be raising the GH above 8 dGH.  So my question is, are you seeing problems for the snails and shrimp with the present water?  If not, I would leave things alone.
 
Byron.

 

[DrRob]

I use simple calcium salts to get my gH right for the shrimp tanks, far happier with that than blocks that dissolve at random rates.

 

[sawickib]

I use a product called fiji gold, its all natural, but raises hardness, calcium and pH. You can also dose this properly and over does of this product is incredibly hard because it all natural and can be easily removed with a water change. I use this product for my freshwater tiger eels.