Calcium enriched water?

cogsred · 17-09-2012, 10:54 AM

i'm considering throwing a few cuttlefish bones into a bucket of water hoping to create a kind of calcium soup for watering my tortoise feeding weeds.

Can anyone advise whether this is a good idea? and will it be a successful method of ensuring that the creatures receive adequate calcium for their needs please?

herriotfan · 17-09-2012, 11:05 AM

I'll be interested to see the replies to this.
Sounds like an excellent idea, wonder if it would work?

filardimarg2 · 17-09-2012, 11:23 AM

I don't know about that but why not mix calcium powder with the soil before you plant the seeds.

Marg.

Ozric Jonathan · 17-09-2012, 12:59 PM

I don't think using cuttlefish is the best way to do this. Cuttlefish is not a top level calcium source and it might take a very long time for the bone to rot. Limestone flour is very cheap in larger quantities and can be added to soil to alter the Ph if you want it more limey.

Weeds will draw up more calcium if there is more of it in the soil. One way to go is to measure the Ph of the soil with one of those cheap kits from a garden centre. And then decide if you want to change the Ph of the soil.

An alternative to limestone flour is to use calcified seaweed which will also increase the calcium content. It also contains other minerals and elements.

Personally I think that dusting foods with limestone flour can work well and has the advantage that we can see the calcium going into the tortoise!

EJ · 17-09-2012, 10:57 PM

Calcium Carbonate is insoluable in water. The most soluable form of calcium is calcium glauconate or calcium citrate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cogsred

i'm considering throwing a few cuttlefish bones into a bucket of water hoping to create a kind of calcium soup for watering my tortoise feeding weeds.

Can anyone advise whether this is a good idea? and will it be a successful method of ensuring that the creatures receive adequate calcium for their needs please?

cogsred · 18-09-2012, 09:29 AM

Some interesting information, thankyou each. i'm currently growing some weeds in trays, and it didn't occur to me to incorporate calcium flour when preparing the sand/soil mix, so i was thinking that feeding the plants with high ph water may be helpful.. my next few trays will be suitably 'doctored' with the seaweed that Ozric mentions (cheaply available on ePay!).

17-09-2012, 10:54 AM	#1
cogsred Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: on the Moray Firth Posts: 53	Calcium enriched water? i'm considering throwing a few cuttlefish bones into a bucket of water hoping to create a kind of calcium soup for watering my tortoise feeding weeds. Can anyone advise whether this is a good idea? and will it be a successful method of ensuring that the creatures receive adequate calcium for their needs please?

17-09-2012, 11:05 AM	#2
herriotfan Member Hatchling Join Date: May 2010 Location: Near Saffron Walden, Essex Posts: 593	I'll be interested to see the replies to this. Sounds like an excellent idea, wonder if it would work? __________________ Hubby (Phil) Son & Daughter (Kevin & Carol) Granddaughters (Eva & Zoe) Dogs (Ellie & Alfie) Parrot (Peanut) Crested Gecko (Echo) Electric Blue Day Gecko (Bobby Blue) Hermanns Tortoises (Ebbie, Rosie, Twiglet & Percy)

17-09-2012, 11:23 AM	#3
filardimarg2 Senior Member Sub Adult Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Leamington Spa, Warwickshire Posts: 1,201	I don't know about that but why not mix calcium powder with the soil before you plant the seeds. Marg. __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni...Flo, Dotty & Daisy, all December 2010. German Shepherd Dog...Kiera.

17-09-2012, 12:59 PM	#4
Ozric Jonathan Senior Member Adult Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: West of Scotland Posts: 4,226	I don't think using cuttlefish is the best way to do this. Cuttlefish is not a top level calcium source and it might take a very long time for the bone to rot. Limestone flour is very cheap in larger quantities and can be added to soil to alter the Ph if you want it more limey. Weeds will draw up more calcium if there is more of it in the soil. One way to go is to measure the Ph of the soil with one of those cheap kits from a garden centre. And then decide if you want to change the Ph of the soil. An alternative to limestone flour is to use calcified seaweed which will also increase the calcium content. It also contains other minerals and elements. Personally I think that dusting foods with limestone flour can work well and has the advantage that we can see the calcium going into the tortoise! __________________ Testudo Hermanni Hermanni (Corse) tortoises

18-09-2012, 09:29 AM	#6
cogsred Member Egg Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: on the Moray Firth Posts: 53	Some interesting information, thankyou each. i'm currently growing some weeds in trays, and it didn't occur to me to incorporate calcium flour when preparing the sand/soil mix, so i was thinking that feeding the plants with high ph water may be helpful.. my next few trays will be suitably 'doctored' with the seaweed that Ozric mentions (cheaply available on ePay!).

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