Calcium for water buffering

[gnomeworks]

Will barnacle shells be enough to do the job, or should I get some other coral? I've already got some beautiful black sand that I'm going to use, so I don't want to have to buy aragonite, and I'd really rather not be throwing ground up eggshells in there.

Completely new to this hobby, and this will be my first go at it. I'd rather not screw it up.

[Harry]

I bought a scuttle bone from the pet shop. They sell it for parakeets and canaries to rub and clean their beaks. It is fish bone and provides the calcium the shrimp need for their exoskeletons. It is a big piece, about three inches long. I cut off a half-inch piece and throw it in the tank. If you use distilled water with the correct amount of "Instant Ocean", I think that is all you need.

[Ula Hula]

I think the barnacle shells should be enough. As far as I understand, you don't need a huge amount of calcium carbonate to get the buffering benefits for your tank.