Calcium Carbonate Snow vs Vermitid Snails?

[JoeinLA]

So I'm trying to get ahead of an impending vermitid snail takeover and had read that calcium carbonate snow might be able to clog up the vermitid snails' webs and thus starve them out. I'm looking to try this am wondering about a few things:
1. what's the right ratio of calcium carbonate to RODI water to get to the right "thickness"?
2. How much, how often should i or can I add calcium carbonate, and can I overdose it? I'm thinking it would be whenever I the mucus nets come out, but that might be several times a day.
3. any impact on too much calcium carbonate snow?

Any other thoughts/comments/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[ISpeakForTheSeas]

Hopefully someone with hands-on experience will chime in for you here, but the quote below (taken from the link at the bottom of my post to help you find the relevant info) may help answer your questions:

Personally, I use this powder Calcium Powder and one jar should last you years. Creating the solution couldn't be any simpler.

• Select a clean container, one that is resealable and able to be shaken. I use an old creatine bottle.(Yes, I am on the GAIN TRAIN)
• For 500ML of solution, add 10 level tablespoons of powder to roughly 425-450ML of RO/DI water.
• Shake the bottle up, and let it sit for two hours. After which, it will be ready to use.
• Now, I don’t believe that you can overdose with this product, but a good recommended dose is 5ml per 50gl of aquarium volume.
• Be sure to shake up the bottle prior to each use as the powder can settle.

Extreme Water Clarity and Cyano Eradication, Made Easy!

Edit 10/092023: Note that I have tweaked the formula a bit. You can find an updated video here: Coral Snow Link: Coral Snow Hello all! I have been reefing now for about 25 years, and over those many years I have picked up many tips, tricks, and best habits/practices. From a hobbyist and...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I cannot answer 2 or 3, or even be sure this is a problem for them (I can even imagine it could be a plus), but I can certainly answer #1 in that it makes no difference how the same calcium carbonate particles get to the aquarium. So suspend them in any amount of water you want.

 

[Miami Reef]

I can even imagine it could be a plus),

How can it be a plus? Vermitids can eat calcium carbonate bound with organics? I thought calcium carbonate bound to anything would be inedible.

 

[Boehmtown]

Mike paletta talked about this technique. He would feed a powdered food to get them active then spot feed them the calcium carbonate

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

How can it be a plus? Vermitids can eat calcium carbonate bound with organics? I thought calcium carbonate bound to anything would be inedible.

I’m randomly speculating there that the CaCO3 might collect organics and the vermitid might consume it off the surface. That would happen if a person ate it, but I have no idea what the digestive system of a vermitid comprises.