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	Sea shells
bsblue Hobbyist Posts: 123 Kudos: 26 Votes: 1 Registered: 16-Feb-2003	A friend brought me several boxes of sea shells from Florida so I can add them to my tanks. My questions is how do I make them safe for my freshwater aquariums? I figured I needed to boil them, but for how long? Is there anything else that I need to do to prepare them for the tanks? Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
castlequest Fish Addict Posts: 661 Votes: 0 Registered: 15-Feb-2003	Don't put shells in freshwater tanks, it will alter the ph.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
keithgh Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 6371 Kudos: 6918 Votes: 1542 Registered: 26-Apr-2003	Bsblue Best advice dont put them in a FW tank as previously stated it will certainly alter you PH and could end up killing some of your fish. Keith Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do. I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT? VOTE NOW VOTE NOW
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Some fish need a raised PH, and or the shells for homes... lake tang cichlids come to mind. If you're just adding them for decor you won't want the ph shift, in which case coating them with something like a thin layer of aquarium silicone will prevent them from breaking down in the tank and from raising the ph. ^_^ Current [link=Contest Rules]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Aquascaping/44382.html?200412022138" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link][/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
AndyCLS Fish Addict Posts: 590 Kudos: 1584 Votes: 107 Registered: 13-Mar-2003	lake tang cichlids come to mind And don't forget Lake Malawi and Lake Victoria too! :%) Sea shells would be just fine in a freshwater rift lake setup where a higher pH is desireable.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
bsblue Hobbyist Posts: 123 Kudos: 26 Votes: 1 Registered: 16-Feb-2003	Thank you Babelfish for the suggestions. In one tank I do want a higher pH, in the other 2 I do not. I will coat them with silicone for those tanks. Do I just clean them with a scrub brush and water or do I have to boil them first? Thanks again for the help.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
Babelfish Administrator Small Fry with Ketchup Posts: 6833 Kudos: 8324 Votes: 1570 Registered: 17-Apr-2003	Boiling for a few moments will kill any of the nasty buggers that you don't want in your tank. I'd also give them a good scrub with a clean brush (ie one that hasn't been used with any chemicals whatsoever). I'd just make sure you moniter the tank with the uncoated shells, you don't want it to go up too much . ^_^ Current [link=Contest Rules]http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/Aquascaping/44382.html?200412022138" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link][/font]
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26
bsblue Hobbyist Posts: 123 Kudos: 26 Votes: 1 Registered: 16-Feb-2003	Thanks again Babelfish. I have a brush that is specifically used for decorations for my tanks (I seem to change my mind alot). I will also moniter the pH. I appreciate your input.
Posted 26-Jan-2006 11:26


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