Whole shells instead of sand for Aggresive Fish Only Tank?

[robnyc]

I've recently moved to Florida and we've found some great shells at the beach. Is there any major reason not fill the bottom of the tank with shells as the substrate rather than sand. The tank would be either a 200G or 55G fish only tank with the fish being Triggers and other compatible similarly sized fish.

Thanks for the help,
Rob

 

[Domboski]

I had a bunch of snail shells as my substrate a long time ago in one of my Octopus enclosures and in a fuge. I wanted them as a good place for pods to live. They became big time detritus traps. If you are concerned about nitrates in a Fish Only tank I'd say it is better to not go that route. IME, they will cause problems for you down the road and need constant rinsing. I couldn't believe how much crap was stuck in them.

 

[robnyc]

Thanks. I was only thinking about a smaller layer that I would clean regularly with water changes and rinsing. I was thinking I'd use Scallop shells since I found alot of them and they wouldn't trap as much detritus in a hole like the snail shells.