a better calcium block?

[foghog]

Typically as I have mentioned many of us make calcium blocks and I for one have noticed a definite improvement, or at least a much higher interest in the snails, no matter which type preferring the calcium blocks as opposed to a cuttlebone. I further use a ruffly 50/50 combination of oyster shell flour and calcium powder when making my blocks, but I do still keep cuttle bone in the tank, and it does get gnawed on periodically.
however on a whim about a month ago when we were talking about such I decided to try something, and it has produced once again noticeable results that are undeniable.

I used to use a small plastic type lid to put my powder/flour in, add water and then put under a lamp to solidify it, then put the block in the tank...but I decided to instead take my flour/powder mixture and put it in the holes created by the snails into the cuttlebone...basically remaking it into a new cuttle bone. I did this for 4 tanks I have, 4 separate species. and as I mentioned the results are without a doubt conclusive. they prefer that over both regular cuttle bone as well as regular calcium blocks. over ruffly 225% of the time by weight consumed. I did measurements both of dry weight of powder/flour as well as weight of cuttlebone before and after. (cuttlebone absorbs a lot of moisture, so if I didn't the data would be skewed if while making the block the moisture was absorbed and then later evaporated making it appear as if weight os flour/powder was consumed) in any case, it was also evident by how much was consumed visually during this time, but it is confirmed by the data without a doubt. figured folks might want to know if they haven;t been doing this all along anyways. I am not sure if it is the smell perhaps? or what it is...maybe the cuttlebone absorbing moisture is actually appealing to them as it provides more moisture to the calcium block, or maybe it is the temperature difference in the two even, I haven't tested that yet, but it is definitely something. enjoy.

[hoodooman]

I know my redfoot torts. seem to prefer their cuttlebone when it is damp/wet--I always thought it was just because it made it easier to chew/scrape--to the extent that Robin, the slightly older of the two, when she was much smaller, used to drag her cuttlebone into her water dish and leave it there. This can lead to very awkward phone conversations with your friends, if you're not careful ("What the h%#$ was that noise?" - "Oh, my tortoise is just soaking her bone." - "Dude, I never want to hear you say those words again!" ;D) There may be something to your smell theory, though, as they don't really bother soaking it themselves anymore. Their jaws are strong enough now that they can destroy a cuttlebone whether or not it's wet, but they seem to find it/latch on to it faster if it's damp.

BTW, where do you find your oyster powder? It's not something I've ever seen for sale anywhere--although maybe I just haven't been looking in the right places. Also, what is the other 50% calcium powder you use composed of--crushed limestone?

[coyote]

I've seen crushed oyster shell in places that have poultry or equestrian supplies. All the fine particles work their way down to the bottom of the bag as a powder. The store might even grind it up finer for you if you ask.

[foghog]

this is oyster flour. crushed oyster is much much more course. My brother had a large bag of it and I seen it, and he gave it to me, cause he had no idea what it for for. I gave the # to buy it at in another post, the info is right on the bag, it's a place in the US here. the other is limestone powder, ya. I can get the info off the bag again if you want.

[coyote]

EBay is another source for powdered limestone (and probably powdered oyster shell too, although I haven't looked for that).

[foghog]

I have just made another interesting discovery, I should of spotted before but did not. I was at a healthstore and looked at the calcium 500 tablets for human consumption. and noticed they had 'made from oyster shell' on them. interesting indeed imo.