cuttlebone prep?

[NilsBaees]

Hi all! I have a mystery snail and ramshorns that live in my tank but are suffering because my city's water has little calcium, and their shells are wearing away. I have been advised (on a previous thread) to put cuttlebone in the water to help the shells. So I bought a piece (so cheap! ) and I just want to know if I have to do anything to it before I put it in. How do I sanitize it (bcs. I filed the sharp points away with a rock), and will it dissolve in water? Is it safe if fish and snails eat it? And also do I boil it or something? Thanks for the help (sorry for all the questions)!! :grinyes:

 

[Flaringshutter]

i've had mixed luck with cuttlebones as far as calcium additions in the tank, but they are fine to just drop in the tank as they are. i find wonder shells and vacation feeders are more reliable sources of calcium... however, you could have good luck with cuttlebones depending on how much calcium you need to add to the water.

 

[msjinkzd]

i keep them in my snail grow-out tanks as I figure they cannot hurt. I just drop them in. They erode over time and the snails will graze on them as well. They will not hurt your fish.

 

[Fordtrannyman]

i keep them in my snail grow-out tanks as I figure they cannot hurt. I just drop them in. They erode over time and the snails will graze on them as well. They will not hurt your fish.

Diddo!!

 

[thebullit]

lol ditto....boiling cuttlefish/bone gets rid of the trapped air in side and helps it to sink.

 

[beviking]

lol ditto....boiling cuttlefish/bone gets rid of the trapped air in side and helps it to sink.

Yep, I would boil it so it sinks :grinyes: