Beach Shells

MsMcClain · 06-23-2006, 11:19 AM

Can you put shells fresh from the beach into a tank? Is there something I should do to them first?

kelkat · 06-24-2006, 09:27 AM

I think that as long as you prepare them (boil, clean, and soak them) then they should be fine in either a salt water or freshwater. Shells occur naturally in some fresh water (like our creek) so they might make an interesting addition to a fresh water tank.

What ever you put in your tank, make sure you change the water regularly.

LadyViper · 06-26-2006, 10:22 AM

I stuck them in the dishwasher, and then boiled them in plain water on the stove. After that, I let them air dry completely before putting them in the tank. I don't know if you have to go through all that, but I did to protect my fish.

kelkat · 06-27-2006, 08:40 AM

Better too much than not enough, in my opinion atleast. Next time you might want to soak them in some of the tank water before putting them in. I'm not sure why, it just seems like a good idea.

Just curious, are the shells in a salt or fresh tank? I was wondering how they would mesh in a fresh tank, if they would look outh of place.

MsMcClain · 06-28-2006, 12:18 PM

I haven't put them in any tank yet. We were at the beach on father's day and my daughter collected them.

kelkat · 06-30-2006, 08:53 AM

That would make a nice addition to the tank AND would help your daughter feel like an active part of the hobby. Great idea!

LadyViper · 07-05-2006, 11:49 AM

Soaking them in the tank water probably is a good idea! I have mine in a freshwater tank. The fish like to hide behind and play tag behind the big one, and the pleco loves sucking on them.

NortH · 07-05-2006, 05:58 PM

beach shells are perfectly fine to put in any tank, especially salt water tanks as they add to the calcium levels in the tank... proper preparation is the key though.

Boiling is a good idea and then letting them air dry, but not anywhere near where there are smokers as the nicotine will get on them and nicotine is extemely hazardous and normally deadly to fish/aquarium life.

What I normally do before putting anything in a tank is soak it in a diluted bleach water for about 1 day, rinse the stuff off very thoroughly, then soak them again in water with some aquarium conditioner in it, rinse them off again with clean water, and then take out some tank water and let them soak in that for a day and then dump them right in to the tank.

there are plenty of ways to do it, and most work perfectly fine... just use caution and common sense when doing it and it will turn out great.

~NortH~

LadyViper · 07-09-2006, 09:44 PM

Rinsing is probably the most important, in my opinion. You don't want and soaps or cleaning agent residues left on the shell when it enters the tank. But, a small amount of salt won't hurt your fish if the shells are fresh from the ocean. You are cleaning mostly for disease and bacteria that is left behind.

lindsey · 07-09-2006, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NortH

Boiling is a good idea and then letting them air dry, but not anywhere near where there are smokers as the nicotine will get on them and nicotine is extemely hazardous and normally deadly to fish/aquarium life.

What I normally do before putting anything in a tank is soak it in a diluted bleach water for about 1 day, rinse the stuff off very thoroughly, then soak them again in water with some aquarium conditioner in it, rinse them off again with clean water, and then take out some tank water and let them soak in that for a day and then dump them right in to the tank.
~NortH~

Wow Ok I never thought of boiling the shells first. I tried this once and just made a real mess. Nor did I think about putting diluted bleach in either. Than you for the tip.

I usually used just simple soap and water to take care of any necessary cleaning.