Calcium Suppliments?

[Bufo Bill]

I know that it is best for pet snails to have a calcium suppliment for shell building, and I read that it is good for shrimps too. The advertised suppliments look expensive so I was thinking of using coral sand added to the tank. I will use an expensive suppliment if it's the best for the snails and shrimps, but if there is a cheaper option I would like to take it. Is coral sand okay for this purpose? If not any suggestions of other alternatives?

Best wishes from Bill.

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

The problem with coral sand is it will raise your ph, which could be very bad news for your tank inhabitants.

One of my lfs often has many dead apple snails, i once asked if i could have one of the empty apple snail shells and they said yes, so i popped it into my tank for my living apple snail to chew on.
It hasn't taken a great deal of interest in it, but my trumpet snails and other small snails do- my apple snail seems more interested in the skins my amano shrimp molt. I'm not sure how much the shedded shrimp skins or shell contribute to the apple snails shell growth, but it does have a healthy shell overal.
I generally tend to stick to the vitamin/mineral supliments though, the bottle may be small but they do last a while- you can put a couple of drops on a large algae wafer so the snails or shrimp you have can get all the vitamin and mineral goodness directly .