A healthy aquarium is one with healthy shrimp. Unfortunately, shrimp often have a difficult time getting the calcium they need from their food. That’s where supplements come in! In this post, you’ll find all the information you need on what kind of calcium will work for your shrimp and how to offer it to them appropriately.
Adding pieces of seashells or hard-boiled eggshells is a cheap way to supplement your shrimp aquarium with calcium. Another good option is to get the shrimp to eat cuttlefish bones, a rich source of calcium.
Cheap And Effective Methods Supplementing Calcium To A Shrimp Tank
How To Prepare Eggshells For Your Shrimp Tank
- The first step is to boil and eat the eggs.
- Next, You boil your empty eggshells for 10 to 15 minutes first to sterilize them. Boiling will keep any bacteria from growing and harming your shrimp and makes removing the membrane later easier.
- Remove the membrane and rinse the eggshell pieces in water. You don’t want any part of the egg or membrane fouling up your aquarium.
- Next, you’ll need to crush them up so that there are no sharp pieces that may hurt your shrimp. You can use a hammer or a mortar and pestle to do this. You can grind them up into powder, but it is not mandatory. Small pieces of shell are also acceptable to use.
- Finally, offer the crushed eggshells in small amounts at least twice per week to supplement calcium.
How To Use Montmorillonite Clay In Your Aquarium
Montmorillonite clay is a sedimentary rock that has a unique property. It absorbs water and becomes expanded. This property makes it an excellent option for growing healthy shrimp.
The shrimp may eat the clay, and that’s okay because it’s rich in minerals, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They will also have increased access to food which is good for their growth cycle. You can add this montmorillonite clay to your aquarium by putting it in your water filter or directly into the tank.
How To Use Cuttlefish Bones In Your Aquarium
Cuttlefish bones are another excellent supplement for calcium. Cuttlefish bones provide a rich source of calcium that is readily available to shrimp and helps them grow. They can be added to the water or placed in a cuttlebone holder, which can be found at most pet stores attached to the bottom of the tank.
Cuttlefish bones, like eggshells, should be boiled first to sterilize and remove any bacteria. Once they have cooled down, you can place cuttlefish bones in their cuttlebone holder, usually made of hard plastics. This keeps them from getting lost in the tank and allows you to monitor how much they are eating quickly. You don’t want to overfeed your shrimp, so it’s good to check and make sure they’re not taking in too many at once.
How To Use Crushed Coral In Your Shrimp Tank
There are different types of crushed coral available in the market. You can choose between aragonite and calcite. The kind you choose is up to you, and it’s essential to know which type of shrimp you have in your aquarium before making that decision.
How To Use Crushed Oyster Shells In Your Shrimp Aquarium
Chopped oyster shells are relatively easy to find and are a great way to add calcium to your shrimp tank. Oyster shells provide the same benefits as other supplements: additional sources of calcium, easy access, and increased food availability. To prepare Crushed Oyster Shells for your shrimp aquarium, measure and mince the shells. You can use either a mortar and pestle or a hammer. Once you have chopped our oyster shells, please put them in
The Best Store-bought Calcium Supplementation Options
Dennerle Shrimp King Mineral Is A Premium Mineral Feed For Shrimp
Rich in natural minerals. With montmorillonite, calcium-carbonate, and red coralline algae, Shrimp King Mineral supports the healthy development of all shrimps and crayfish. Naturally rich in trace elements and iodine and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and E. Contains 0.5% pure spirulina as a source of natural green pigments (as a natural colorant).
It is made with Kelp, shrimp wholemeal, wheat protein, lime red algae (10%), calcium carbonate (5%), lucerne, green-lipped mussel, yeast, walnut leaves, and rosemary.
SaltyShrimp Mineral Supplement
SaltyShrimp mineral saltwater conditioners have been designed and manufactured primarily for use in a freshwater tank. They improve the water condition and provide your tank inhabitants with all the essential minerals and trace elements via the water for their health and wellbeing. Moreover, SaltyShrimp mineral products support filter bacteria activities that improve plant growth – for a stable, healthy biosystem in your tank.
Shrimp Mineral GH/KH+ contains all the essential minerals and trace elements your shrimp need for their wellbeing, intensive coloration, successful breeding, and healthy growth. It also furthers plant growth and the microbial regeneration of biological filter substrates.
- This product also helps stabilize the pH of your water and make it more livable for shrimp.
- The most important properties of shrimp mineral salts:
- They contain all essential nutrients for healthy shrimp growth.
- They suspend and enhance the availability of essential trace elements (e.g., Zn, Cu, etc.).
- They balance the hardness of water by reducing hardness (°dGH) and raising carbonate hardness (KH).
- They control the pH of the water to prevent any health problems in your aquarium or breeding tank.
- They are entirely harmless to animals and plants as they are made from harmless food-grade salt.
- By re-mineralising RO water, rainwater, fully desalinated water, etc., they can raise a better condition for your shrimp.
The shrimp and snails require calcium to prevent deformities and molting problems. They need the calcium for their shells to grow correctly, and that is why it is necessary to give them a supplement of calcium if there is not enough in your aquarium.
How Often To Add Calcium To A Shrimp Tank
How Often to Add calcium to a Shrimp Tank depends on the age of the shrimp and the feed they are using.
The most important thing to know is that you should not add calcium if you do not know how high the calcium levels in your aquarium are; to do so could endanger the shrimp.
The optimal GH for most dwarf shrimp is between 6 and 8 GH. If you are not sure what is the GH of your tank, you can use a water test kit to test the level of GH and go from there.
How To Test Calcium In A Freshwater Aquarium
Testing your calcium levels is relatively easy. When you mix up the test kit, shake it well and add a bit of the tank water. You will need to wait a few minutes before reading the color on the kit.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many different methods of adding calcium to your shrimp tank. The best way to determine the best one for you is by considering what’s most convenient and affordable for you. Like you can read, there are many sources of calcium for your freshwater shrimp.
