pug1010 Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 Hi all:) I have been wary of North American marine products for some time - both east and west sides. Also, the environmental cost of posting crustacean shell to Australia is quite high. For an easier and possibly superior alternative to crab shell (both as a liming and chitin source), I would suggest using cuttlefish bones or cuttlebones. The primary component is aragonite (basically calcium carbonate) and the exoskeletal is made up of chitin. I've attached a study where they found the chitin and later chitosan production to be higher than crab shell. If you live nearby a clean beach ... just pick up some of the washed ashore cuttlebones and put them in a blender - about 6-8 medium size ones will make a cup of flour. If you just want the aragonite ... use the back of a teaspoon and scrape off the soft side ... it's quite relaxing. Hope this helps Cuttlebone_Chitin-Chitosan.pdf 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GREENQUEEN Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 Very interesting, thanks pug Posted from the OZ Stoners mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchybromusic Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 (edited) cool stuff mate nice find , i'll have a read of that was just looking at the OMRI down to earth crab shell on amazon 5lb for $12.88usd ps the enzyme chitinase can be obtained from the regular use of malted barley powder Edited June 24, 2017 by itchybromusic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardrona Posted June 24, 2017 Report Share Posted June 24, 2017 Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pug1010 Posted June 25, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 I really like the smell of MBP, especially when mixed with neem meal. not to everyone's taste though ... reckon powdered cuttlefish bone should work well in the worm bin too. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchybromusic Posted June 25, 2017 Report Share Posted June 25, 2017 I really like the smell of MBP, especially when mixed with neem meal. not to everyone's taste though ... reckon powdered cuttlefish bone should work well in the worm bin too.yeah that seems to come down to alpha or beta chitin in the worm bin , ones not so good from memory it's alpha chitin is hard shell like crab , worms or there lill hairs that stick out are beta chitin much softerplease check that for ya self cos i might have got that ass about Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pug1010 Posted June 26, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 thanks itchybromusic ... will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thirstyman88 Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 Can get cuttlefish for birds at Coles/woolies for like $1. Would they have still have the goods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieBogan Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 Crab shell do the same thing as oyster shell? Posted from the OZ Stoners mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchybromusic Posted June 26, 2017 Report Share Posted June 26, 2017 Crab shell do the same thing as oyster shell? Posted from the OZ Stoners mobile appyes they both work as liming agents&no , oyster shell has no chitin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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