ricktavious

My mom has a bunch of sea shells, and she has offered to let me use some to decorate a tank. Would these be fine? Not too sure on how the hole bringing something from salt water into freshwater thing works

Drea

I have added shells, I just boil them in water, then let them cool. They will be a landing space for algae though, so they just need another boil. Some say that shells raise the acidity of the water, idk, but I haven't found that in my tanks.

COBettaCouple

I think some can leech calcium and/or alter pH/kH, if i remember right. Boiling them is a good idea, clear off the nasties that could be on them.

armadillo

I bought some substrate which had seashells in it, unbeknownst to me. I've had no pH difference yet, so I guess the pH difference is minimal and would require great quantities?

Dino

Correct, it would take a long time, with no water changes, for shells to affect your pH.

Tazmiche

Same here, i've shells in a few tanks. Touch wood no problems to report.

susitna-flower

I found a HUGE bag of shells at, cough cough cough Walmart! It was in the silk flower section, like some home decoration, so it was really cheap! I took them home boiled them 3 times, poured the water off before boiling again. They have been in my tanks now over a year, and I love them. They also give certain shy fish a place to hide. My Raphael Cat could completely disappear in one!

Since starting to keep a tank with snails and shrimp, I have found I worry a lot less about the addition of calcium, as these critters need it.

Drea

I don't know why but my ylw lab ciclid loves shell too.

Tom

Sea shells aren't recommended for the FW tank(except African cichlids), but are for the SW since they raise the pH and make the water harder. Just my
Tom

Drea

Yeah, the friend who gave me ciclids told me that. If you use shells be sure to check them for sharp edges, take sandpaper to em, then boil/clean etc.