Cuttle Bone Question

[LookingToLearn]

I have 2 goldfish and 2 apple snails in a 55 gallon tank. My water is testing soft and I was told I could put a cuttle bone in the tank for the snails. They aren't even looking at the cuttle bone. Is this something they are supposed to eat or is it something that I just let float in the tank? I am just wondering if I should just leave it floating in the tank or if I am supposed to remove it from the tank after a certain amount of time?
Thanx so much for your help.

 

[zephi]

You should break it up in to small pieces and put in to your filter. You can replace the cuttlefish bone after they become covered in algae and other gunk. Or if you want to be conservative, put the pieces in to a small container, add water(not tap water) and shake. Most of the stuff will be removed and can be replaced back in to the filter.

 

[waterdrop]

Could someone please explain Cuttle Fish Bone theory?

 

[Corleone]

Could someone please explain Cuttle Fish Bone theory?

Snails absorb minerals from the water to maintain their shells. In soft water, their shells get soft or develop small holes. Cuttlebone is made of the same stuff as snail shell.

I've also heard of people dropping a Tums tablet in for the snails to eat as a mineral supplement. Most of the additives are inert and will be removed by filter carbon, and the active ingredient is the calcium carbonate you want the snail to get anyway.

 

[waterdrop]

Thanks!

If its Calcium Carbonate wouldn't just crushed coral or baking soda accomplish the same thing? Or does cuttle not change pH or something different like that?

 

[OldMan47]

Baking soda is not calcium carbonate, it is sodium bicarbonate. It will raise the pH and have a buffering effect on the water. In that respect it keeps the pH from being low enough to start to erode the snail's shell. I use an occasional tums in with the snails. It gives them the calcium that they need for healthy shells and over a few days, what the snails don't eat will dissolve into almost nothing. It makes a funny looking little pile in the tank until most of it dissolves. As the calcium carbonate of the tums goes into the water it will also raise the water pH slightly and contribute a buffering effect. The cuttlebone can be used in the same way as a tums but it will not dissolve easily. It is a harder material so the water won't break it down as fast. My problem with a cuttle bone is too many years seing one in a budgie cage to be comfortable with it in my tank. I know most snail experts will tell you they are a good idea but they look funny to me.

 

[Colin_T]

you are better off using limestone, shell or crushed coral instead of cuttlebone. They work more effectively.
The pitting in snail shells is mostly found in acid water tanks. The acids dissolve the snail's shell. In alkaline water it doesn't normally happen.
You can add "Tums" as suggested above, or a small amount of rift lake conditioner. Anything that adds calcium to the water is fine.

 

[waterdrop]

Interesting guys, thanks!

 

[LookingToLearn]

You can add "Tums" as suggested above, or a small amount of rift lake conditioner. Anything that adds calcium to the water is fine.

Ok, maybe I will just add a tums to the water but what if my fish eat it (I have 2 goldfish)? Will that cause a problem?

 

[Colin_T]

shouldn't cause any problems to the goldfish if they eat it. They will just develop strong bones
You can put it into the filter to stop them chomping on it

 

[LookingToLearn]

shouldn't cause any problems to the goldfish if they eat it. They will just develop strong bones
You can put it into the filter to stop them chomping on it

Thanx so much! That is waht I will do! I have a feeling that if I put it in the tank the goldfish will eat it and the snails will get nothing.. lol

 

[LookingToLearn]

I use an occasional tums in with the snails. It gives them the calcium that they need for healthy shells and over a few days, what the snails don't eat will dissolve into almost nothing. It makes a funny looking little pile in the tank until most of it dissolves. As the calcium carbonate of the tums goes into the water it will also raise the water pH slightly and contribute a buffering effect.

ONe more quick question on this.. How often do I add a tums? Once weekly too much?
Thanx again for your help!

 

[Colin_T]

once a week is probably fine. Just monitor the PH and if it is acidic (below 7.0) then maybe add one a couple of times a week. If the PH is alkaline (above 7.0) then you might not even need it.