Calcium in Shrimp & Snails Explained! How They Absorb It + How to Test & Raise GH

Understanding how freshwater shrimp and snails absorb calcium is essential for keeping them healthy, growing, and properly forming their shells or exoskeletons. In this video, we break down the science in an easy-to-follow way and show you how to measure your tank’s GH (General Hardness) and raise it safely if needed. ⸻ 🦐 How Shrimp Absorb Calcium Freshwater shrimp take up calcium through: • Their gill structures — passive absorption from the water column • Their gut — through the foods they eat Calcium is crucial for shrimp molting, exoskeleton formation, and preventing failed molts. ⸻ 🐌 How Snails Absorb Calcium Freshwater snails absorb calcium primarily through: • Their mantle tissue — which pulls dissolved calcium directly from the water Proper calcium levels prevent shell pitting, cracking, erosion, and deformities. ⸻ 🧪 What Is GH and Why It Matters GH (General Hardness) measures the amount of dissolved minerals—mainly calcium and magnesium—in your aquarium. Maintaining the right hardness level is essential for: • Strong shrimp exoskeletons • Healthy snail shell growth • Stable molt cycles • Long-term invertebrate health ⸻ 📏 How to Test Your GH In this video, we walk through: ✔ How to use a liquid GH test kit ✔ What GH levels different species need ✔ Signs your tank is too soft for shrimp/snails ⸻ ⬆️ How to Raise GH Safely We also cover simple ways to increase calcium and hardness in your aquarium: • Mineral salts (like GH/KH boosters) • Crushed coral or aragonite • Cuttlebone • Mineral blocks • Remineralizing RO/DI water ⸻ freshwater shrimp care, snail care, calcium for shrimp, calcium for snails, GH hardness aquarium, how to raise GH, shrimp molting problems, snail shell erosion, aquarium mineral balance, neocaridina calcium, caridina water parameters, mystery snail shell health