Eggshells for Calcium Carbonate

[shrimpies]

I just ordered some Opae Ula. My tank has been cycling for about a month now. I am wondering how much egg shell to add to my 1 gallon tank. Thank you!

[Mustafa]

I'd add at least half of an entire egg.

[Flare]

Hello, I just recently joined the forum and apologize for necro bumping but I had a question pertaining to the use of egg shells in opae tank- Do you only need to add the egg shells once and let them dissolve away and no longer need to add anymore calcium to the tank ? Or after awhile will you have to add more egg shells in to supplement the calcium? My current thoughts are that since I added the calcium once and I will only be topping off the tank I won't need to anymore since like the salt, it will remain in the tank unless I perform a water change . (and would you say that one whole egg shell would be enough for a 2.5g? , or would I need 1 1/2 eggs? ) Thanks very much!

[Mustafa]

Eggs shells need a long time to dissolve and be "used up" by biological processes, so I'd only add another one once the structural integrity of the shell is gone. As for calcium carbonate being like "salt" in the water...it doesn't work that way. Organism and nitrification itself uses up carbonates and calcium. The carbonate turns into CO2 at some point and escapes... If you don't want to deal with replacing an egg shell I'd recommend getting some other more permanent form of calcium carbonate like limestone, sea shells/oyster shells, or crushed coral.

[fredanddino]

Hello again,

it it good enough to cook the eggshell (egg), in order to get rid of any bacteria?

[Mustafa]

You don't have to cook it. Just wash it and let it dry. That's it. Whatever bacteria are left will be eaten by the shrimp anyway. That's their food after all.

[Flippers]

You don't have to cook it. Just wash it and let it dry. That's it. Whatever bacteria are left will be eaten by the shrimp anyway. That's their food after all.

If I choose to use an eggshell, should I introduce it after my shrimp in order to prevent a bacterial bloom (them eating the bacteria right away), or should I introduce it prior to the shrimp to ensure a healthy amount of food?

[crittersni]

I've been curious about egg shells, too. Do they float? Does anyone have pics showing the egg shell in the tank?

I have a bubbler in my tank. Will that help with bad gases in the tank?

[shrimpnoobie]

I've been curious about egg shells, too. Do they float? Does anyone have pics showing the egg shell in the tank?

I have a bubbler in my tank. Will that help with bad gases in the tank?

This is my tank with an eggshell in it. As you can see it does not float (I did not put the sand in the egg, when I added the water the sand floated in there, but I don’t think it wouldn’t float either way). It’s been in there’s for about a month while my tank cycles, and I’m actually short on algae it seems so no bloom for me!

[Flippers]

I've been curious about egg shells, too. Do they float? Does anyone have pics showing the egg shell in the tank?

I have a bubbler in my tank. Will that help with bad gases in the tank?

This is my tank with an eggshell in it. As you can see it does not float (I did not put the sand in the egg, when I added the water the sand floated in there, but I don’t think it wouldn’t float either way). It’s been in there’s for about a month while my tank cycles, and I’m actually short on algae it seems so no bloom for me!

Your tank is so beautiful.... I'm always in awe of your pictures!!

[crittersni]

Thank you for the pictures. I guess my shrimp will soon be checking out an egg shell.

[shrimpnoobie]

I've been curious about egg shells, too. Do they float? Does anyone have pics showing the egg shell in the tank?

I have a bubbler in my tank. Will that help with bad gases in the tank?

This is my tank with an eggshell in it. As you can see it does not float (I did not put the sand in the egg, when I added the water the sand floated in there, but I don’t think it wouldn’t float either way). It’s been in there’s for about a month while my tank cycles, and I’m actually short on algae it seems so no bloom for me!

Your tank is so beautiful.... I'm always in awe of your pictures!!

Thank you that's extremely kind! Just tried to provide the most natural house for my shrimp (-:

[shrimpnoobie]

Thank you for the pictures. I guess my shrimp will soon be checking out an egg shell.

Cool! Let me know how they react. I have not introduced my shrimp yet into my tank, but my snails (Mustafa's) have no interest in eggs apparently, haha. Good luck.