Reptile & Amphibian Forums

whats all this talk about crushed oyster shell calcium and calcium carbonate, saying the oyster shells can't be broken down. I use the rep-cal phosphorous-free calcium with d3 mixed with repcal herptivite w/beta carotene multivitamins, which contains "100% natural phosphorus -free oyster shell calcium carbonate." So is that all wrong just because its crushed oyster shells? I was reading this off Varnyards site.

I would email the manufacturer of Rep-Cal and ask for their opinion. Many people have used the product for years without problems. Sometimes it's not that a product cannot be absorbed at all, but is absorbed at a lower rate than another form.

Oyster shell is calcium carbonate, same as coral calcium and any other form of calcium carbonate (tums, vitamins). Much of the research done on calcium supplements is in the area of human nutrition. The drawback to many calcium carbonate supplements is that they came in hard pressed tablets that were difficult to digest without sufficient stomach acid, or the manufacturing process rendered them a lower quality. Having calcium carbonate available in powder form makes it much more available nutritionally, as does taking it with meals.

There are other forms of calcium: dolomite, dicalcium phosphate, calcium gluconate (very high quality), calcium citrate, calcium from bone meal, etc, etc, etc. In my opinion, the key to optimum calcium metabolism is proper diet along with quality UV exposure. Whole foods and foods high in natural calcium sources along with a regular (but overdose) of calcium supplement will be part of a good husbandry plan.

I haven't read the article at Varnyard site's...this is just info from my own background. However, I find that if I have a question about a product or read a questionable review, I like to ask the manufacturer for their position. When some rumors/reviews were going around about the quality of frozen feeders a few years ago, I went to the supplier and asked for their opinion and other info. I currently have some questions about another new supplement on the market and am waiting for that manufacturer to answer a few questions.

yea i always have read that the Rep-Cal was the best stuff, but now I don't know.

Maybe they changed their formulation, but the ZooMed's latest product description claims that RepCal is calcium carbonate not made from oyster shells.

yea i saw that as well

but the real question is, why is oyster shell stuff bad, it has been in production for many many years for reptiles. It has to have some benefit.

I am not using the Zoomed stuff though, i am using Rep-Cal brand, which does have the shells, their website says

"Our ingredients are highly digested, and our extrusion (cooking) process ensures absorption of more nutrients."

i just want to know if its worth spending the money to go to the zoomed stuff thats not made from oyster, cause this repcal stuff is two part mix (calc/vit) so i would be throwing away two containers.

My apologies...I confused the ZooMed with the RepCal. Some of the names are so similar. I thought the Zoo Med product was a new formulation of RepCal.

The only two cons I've ever heard to oyster shell was that oyster shell tablets had issues because the tablets were hard pressed and not easily dissolved. The other issues is that oyster shell and dolomite can contain lead and other forms of heavy metals.

Whenever I'm making a decision, I do my research and then make the best decision I can. People can only give you their opinion or their interpretation of facts. You've read an article with a point of view. You can contact the RepCal company and ask them about any safety concerns with their product. Be specific and ask them why some people say oyster shell is undesirable. I bet you get a response within 48 hrs. If you still can't get a satisfactory answer to your dilemma, best to throw out what you have and start over. What's $20 for piece of mind? There's no sense in using something if you're always wondering if it's the best product or it's harmful to your animal.

Well i think i can still use the Rep-Cal Herptivite multivitamins w/ beta carotene without the calc w/d3 powder and just switch out the calc only for the zoomed stuff.

its really annoying because i originally switched from calcium carbonate to this rep-cal because it was suppose to be so great of a mixture.

I have three or so supplements I use. People give them to me or they come as a bonus with a big order. I still use Rep-Cal as my main supplement though. I haven't had any issues with it for the decade or so I've been using it.

The Rep-Cal brand? and are you using Multivit. or Calc d3 powder?

I use RepCal no phosphorous w D3 and I also use the HerpVite multivitamin mixture. I use the calcium supplement about twice weekly and the other about once every other week. I also feed a mixture of fruits/veggies in the diet.

About the same here only i mix them together 2 times a week like the container says.

The vitamins contain phosphorous, so I don't use them as often.

is that just because of tegus? i use the vit every other feeding on my bearded dragons.

No, the optimum calcium: phosphorous ratio for reptiles is 1.5:1 or 2:1. The ratio of Herptivite or Herpvite (can't remember the exact name) is 2:1, but feeding insects are generally high in phosphorous and low in calcium. In other words, the ratio of the entire food item is not going to be 2:1 even when dusted. Since so many of the feeder insects have sufficient phosphorous, I choose to gutload on veggies, etc and dust with multivitamins less often.

Just my preference, your mileage may vary.

Container says "thoroughly mix a 1:1 ratio of herpitive and rep=cal calcium in a plastic bag"

which i just guestimate.

Yes, it does. I choose to use it differently based on my own reading.

Your mileage may vary. Everyone does it a bit differently.