Shells from the ocean in my reef tank?

[DREUTZ]

I collected a bunch of shells while scuba diving and i would like to add a few to my reef tank. A friend added shells to his tank many years ago and all of his fish died. I've heard that if i was to boil them before i put them in the tank it would be ok. Does anybody have any experience with this? Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance... Happy Thanksgiving!! :chefico:

 

[Mr. Softy]

You could boil them if you want (could get a little stinky). I usually clean them with a scrub brush and water, then leave them outdoors in the sun to dry for a few days(or until the stink is gone).

 

[DREUTZ]

once they are srubbed and dried do you put them in your tank and everything is fine?

 

[Mr. Softy]

Thats the way i have always done it.

 

[DREUTZ]

thanks for the advice

 

[anthony27]

look realyyy nice

 

[Breezp]

be careful too because shells are skeletons and they can raise your Ph depending on your tank size

 

[homegrowncichlid]

Whenever I go to florida or the bahamas, I bring back dry beach sand from the hotel and dead rock from along the highway going down to the keys. I mean a full suitcase of the stuff, since it's free. I stick everything into my tank. Never had a problem. I guess the shell your friend had must have been contaminated with some chemical? pesticides or fertilizer? Something not from the ocean, but from lying around on the ground.

 

[ocholoco]

hey

This past summer I went to a beach in NJ and picked up a bunch of shells and put them directly into the tank and nothing Happen. I also discover that if you glue zoas to the shell they grow quicker, Maybe because the shell is calcium base.

 

[WikedTechniQuezZ]

Very helpful post, I the same idea of adding sea shells to my tank

 

[Mr. Softy]

I should have stated this in my earlier reply. Don't use any shells that have been collected near a boat marina. Even if you collect them from the ocean, there is no guarantee that it is safe. I guess i have been lucky for the past 9 years, but i do try to take some precautions.

 

[johnmaloney]

This past summer I went to a beach in NJ and picked up a bunch of shells and put them directly into the tank and nothing Happen. I also discover that if you glue zoas to the shell they grow quicker, Maybe because the shell is calcium base.

oh so it is you who keeps doing that? tourists love to take away things we don't nail down. I am taking a billboard next time I am in The City, we do sand and beach, y'all do advertising. Only fair.

:lol2: