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View Full Version : Alternative calcium source???


geckoguyatl
10-02-2005, 05:50 PM
Has anyone heard of, or tried, using crushed TUMS tablets OR crushed egg shells (a powder form)?
Matthew Parks
10-03-2005, 11:50 AM
Tums are just calcium carbonate so it's a good source for calcium. Egg shells are good too, but a pain in the butt and a possible source of bacteria. The geckos also need a source of vitamin d3 in order to metabolize the calcium.
poison_iv
10-03-2005, 12:07 PM
I thought too much D3 is bad though? From what I understand, you can give them extra calcium and they'll be fine, but too much D3 is unhealthy, perhaps even deadly depending on the amount ... ? anyone know anything about this stuff?
Matthew Parks
10-03-2005, 12:36 PM
Any vitamin that is fat soluble (measured in iu's) can be overdosed. However they do need some d3 in order to utilize the calcium in there diet.
cherrykasper
10-03-2005, 12:59 PM
D3 is what our bodies produce/gain from sunlight. It, like Matt said, is necessary to be able to use the calcium.

I would just use the crested gecko diet a couple times a week or get phosporus free calcium dust and follow directions. There's also a D3 solution you can add to their water, available at pet retail stores.
poison_iv
10-03-2005, 01:21 PM
yes, well most reptile calcium supplements have D3 in them also. I'm not questioning that they need D3... I just heard that calcium can't be oversupplemented, and D3 can... is what I was basically trying to say ...
Matthew Parks
10-03-2005, 05:52 PM
Yup IV your right about that!
Haroldo
10-04-2005, 01:02 PM
Hey I just bought a canister of Coral Calcium tabs (1000mg capsules)
On the back it reads:

Serving Size 2 capsules
Calcium (element) 340mg per serving from 1000mg of coral calcium carbonate.
Ingredients: Gelatin, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Sterate, Stearic Acid and Croscarmellose Sodium.

Is this a viable source of calcium safe for herps?
Matthew Parks
10-04-2005, 01:07 PM
It sounds like the other ingredients are probably just in the capsule part of it.
Haroldo
10-04-2005, 01:58 PM
It sounds like the other ingredients are probably just in the capsule part of it.

I thought so too....just wanted to pass it by others and see what they thought.