Calcium powder instead of eggshells?

[merk199]

Can I use Rep-Cal instead of crushed eggshells, for the culturing of Eisenia hortensis? Every six months I toss it and am throwing out 3/4 jars so this would hopefully use more up.

Also has anyone purchased Eisenia hortensis from Vermitechnology? I have read some good reviews online for them.

 

[SludgeMunkey]

I use rep-cal for my earthworm worm cultures...found it works best to dust it into some cheap goldfish flakes.

 

[Greatwtehunter]

I to use Rep-cal in my cultures as well. I don't know about Johnny but I add the powder to my cultures twice a year. Even though I have quite a few reptiles I don't use all of my powder before it is set to expire so about a month before it expires (6 months after it is opened) I add it to my worm cultures.

 

[Jennewt]

Whenever I have expired batches of RepCal or Herptivite, I add it gradually to my worm bin. It certainly doesn't seem to do any harm.

 

[michael]

Rep cal is good. Eggs shells are good too. Some worm breeders claim the albumen from egg shells is good for the worm eggs.

 

[merk199]

Thanks. I think I will do a little of both.

 

[Lusiwarrior]

Hi!
I did not know that the egg shell was good for the worms, I think I'll start putting in my culture! The purpose of the Rep cal, do not know what it is,can not do the translation for my language! I think it is calcium for reptilesI, however please do not mind telling me what it is! I have a culture of dendrobaena and there is no way to get all that you can give that to reproduce itself is excellent!
thanks

 

[Greatwtehunter]

Rep-cal is a brand of powdered calcium. It is used to coat various feeder insects before feeding them to your reptiles and/or amphibians.

 

[Lusiwarrior]

Thank Greatwtehunter! I will investigate it!

 

[Decount062]

The main reason I would prefer the rep-cal over the eggshells is the knowledge of eggs being associated with salmonella,I would microwave them for a few minutes or freeze them for a week to be safe,before I took a chance.Bone meal for plants is useable as long as it's pure,read the label!

 

[Jennewt]

The main reason I would prefer the rep-cal over the eggshells is the knowledge of eggs being associated with salmonella,I would microwave them for a few minutes or freeze them for a week to be safe,before I took a chance.Bone meal for plants is useable as long as it's pure,read the label!

Interesting point. I let the egg shells dry thoroughly and then grind them into a powder before use. I think the drying kills most bacteria. And the salmonella probably doesn't stand a chance competing against all the other bacteria in a worm bin.