Question about Calcium

[Cubie]

Hello! I have some calcium powder (no phosphorous with D3) for my garter snake, but I think it may be "off". It has a fishy smell and I noticed when I apply it to fish (tilapia) it creates small red specks that kind of worry me a little, since I didn't remember it leaving them before.

Is this normal or has it gone bad?
Does calcium expire? How often should I replace it?

(Also, hello! I haven't posted here since 2010 but I still have my same snake, Tiberius. She's about five years old now.)

[guidofatherof5]

What brand is it?

[Cubie]

What brand is it?

It's T-Rex 2:0 calcium, no phosphorous with D3

[guidofatherof5]

It's T-Rex 2:0 calcium, no phosphorous with D3

I've never used that brand. These products do have expiration dates. If you are questioning its quality/freshness then don't use it. The product I use has never had a fish smell.
This is what I use.
Amazon.com: Rep-Cal Reptile Calcium Powder with D3: Pet Supplies

[chris-uk]

I don't see that mineral supplements like calcium would have a use by date for safety reasons. From my experience, as long as you store the powder well (ie. Don't leave the lid off, keep it dry, only use a clean dry scoop to remove it from the tub) there's no sign of it aging. I suppose the vitamin D3 could degrade over time, but for it to be stabilised enough for it to have a 2 year shelf life I'm not going to worry too much unless it gets years over its use by.
My calcium powder has no

[Jeff B]

I've never used that brand. These products do have expiration dates. If you are questioning its quality/freshness then don't use it. The product I use has never had a fish smell.
This is what I use.
Amazon.com: Rep-Cal Reptile Calcium Powder with D3: Pet Supplies

I use the same stuff Steve. I think it is a good product, I have been dusting pinhead crickets with it for my albino toadlets too.

[jwolfe152]

I bought flukers calcium with d3 and it has an expiration date of about 3 years (not sure when it was put on shelf at Walmart) and it has no smell and doesn't spot red when used but its not expired either but i can't see why it would "go bad" unless it got moisture in it. Hell the smell might be from they way they process whatever they use to make the powder. Maybe you could find a website and shoot them an email about the product

[guidofatherof5]

When in doubt, don't use.