On Sun, 12 Feb 2006 22:30:09 GMT, Charles
wrote:

On Sun, 12 Feb 2006 16:33:18 -0500, Mr. Gardener
wrote:

On Sun, 12 Feb 2006 20:28:11 GMT, Charles
wrote:

On 12 Feb 2006 12:20:12 -0800, "PiperJason"
wrote:

Second question is that I have no idea what the calcium concentration
of my water is. I am starting to infuse CO2 in my little tank to help
my few plants out and I am going to guess that the pH is going to drop
accordingly. What I can do help out my snails? Their shells are all
pretty white now. I have started to use Spring water to fill the tank
as opposed to filtered city water, would that have enough Ca to make
the snails happy? What about taking a bit of a Rolaids and sprinkling
it in the water? How much of a tablet should I use? Should I bother?


Before you start adding stuff to your water, why not find out what's
already in it. does your city water service provide such information?
How provides the spring water? do they tell you what is in it? why
use that instead of city water?

Try a small container of water, add CO2 to it and see what the pH
does, rather than trying it on your aquarium.

If your water really is deficient in calcium, crushed coral is
frequently recommended, probably better than trying to use some
medication intended for people.

I can't speak for others, but my lfs always has an open bag of crushed
coral in the back room and happily drops a handful into a baggie for
me when I need a little. But before you do anything else, test that
spring water you plan to use, water testing is another free service
that many lfs people are happy to provide. Once or twice. Then it's
time to buy your own kit.

-- Mr Gardener


They (the LFS) may have different needs. Two of them near my place
use RO systems on all their water, then add stuff back in. I have
more than enough minerals in my water when it comes from the tap.

I'm getting lost. I must have lost track of who wrote what. I thought
you just said that you " have no idea what the calcium concentration
of my water is."

Around these parts, all of the local fish stores have the same needs:
To serve their customers.


-- Mr Gardener