What are calcium supplements composed of??

[scubadude24]

Hey,

So I was just curious as to what calcium supplements are composed of. I realize the main ingredient in most of them is calcium chloride but what sources are used to obtain the calcium chloride?

 

[DrBegalke]

I believe it is made from naturally occurring brine or limestone.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Yes, there are various commercial processes, and most companies won't tell you exactly what process they are using. Wikipedia covers some of these.

Some supplements also often contain sulfate to keep the chloride/sulfate balance in the aquarium. That is especially true for two part additives, not so much all in one bottle supplements.

 

[scubadude24]

Do you know of any companies that make supplements from only organic sources?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

I'm not sure what it would mean for a mineral such as calcium chloride to be classified as organic for marketing purposes, but I've not seen any that make that claim.

 

[scubadude24]

I was referring to organic in the sense that the manufacturer uses sources such as shells...Are calcium chloride concentrations high enough in mollusk shells for those to be used?

 

[billsreef]

The calcium in shells is not chloride, it would dissolve to rapidly Shell composition is generally calcite and arragonite, which does not readily dissolve at our tank pH.