Hi ,

 

I was jut brain storming about different ways to supply mineral stock to budgies . Apart from budgies , I am an aquarium hobbist by having seven tanks with cichlids from different lakes for the last 20 years . Tropheus species from lake Tangalika needs a moderately hard water to live on and crushed coral sand is recommended to keep the mineral levels (especially calcium) high , it is very cheap and natural , made from dead corals and can be found in different sizes , I have a 50 kg stock of 0-1 mm grains .

 

Would you think will it be a good idea to add this to budgies daily served soft wood ?

 

Sorry , if this question is very odd for an experienced budgie owner , but you may want to take my budgie hatchling degree written on the left just under my name into consideration and I usually look more smart when I am not thinking

Edited June 3, 200916 yr by cem

Coral that people can buy as use for a substrate in fish tanks and the like is mostly harvested from the wild while it is alive and well. Corals are beautiful and amazing creatures and I'd discourage anyone from using them for aquarium or budgie use.

 

 

Use calcium supplements, they're not that expensive better yet if you eat eggs keep the shells and grind them down they're also natural, inexpensive and you'd be reducing your waste.

 

Just my opinion but I'd rather not support the harvest of corals.

Edited June 3, 200916 yr by Linda_S

Hi Linda ,

 

Thanks for your answer .

 

My buddies get grained egg shells with the soft wood and I am also ordering Calcivet with some more products from Vetafarm recently but I am just exercising on additional ways .

 

I have never looked the matter from your point and I was believeing they were crushing already dead corals , I do not remeber now where I get this , but will have a search .

 

As a person maintained lots of corals , I would mean no harm and not purchase if they are killing the living to have me an easy maintenance of the PH and calcium levels in the aquarium water .

Oh Cem! I wouldn't be giving your budgies soft wood OR crushed coral because I would be very concerned about sharp edges ripping the crop and gizzard to pieces. :hi:

 

Egg shells can be added to the soft food but you need to make sure they are ground to a powder.

Hi Renee ,

 

I hope grinding the boiled and owened (I am not sure if I have done right to use owen as a verb , apologies in advance for possible mistakes about my English) egg shells in a slicer robot is adequate ?

 

By the way , sorry for the typing mistake in the soft wood as it should be soft food :hi:

 

Never the less , I am planning to place a piece of lime as their chewing material , I guess this is nothing to do with their crops .