Natural shells?

[metropolis93fan]

I used to frequent beaches known for their shells and have a crap ton of them. Haven't been in many years. At least 8. Anyway. If I boil the heck out of them are they safe for a betta tank? Wanted to add some natural beauty (I didn't have to pay for... and has nice memories. I got thrown needing to put together a new tank because my mom finally gave up on her 1.5 gallon. And I'm not going to try and make that thing work forher poo rbetta. But being on disability this is a sudden unexpected expense.)

Thanks!

 

[itiwhetu]

No, seashells shouldn't be used in a freshwater tank unless you are trying to change the parameters for some reason, even then I advise against it, seashells come from the sea and not freshwater.

 

[Colin_T]

Depending on what the pH of the tank water is, sea shells can be used in an aquarium but they might increase the pH of the water.

If you have fish that live in water with a pH above 7.0, sea shells should be fine.
If you have fish that live in acid water with a pH below 7.0, the sea shells might make the pH go above 7.0.

What sort of fish are in the tank?
What is the pH of the water?

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You don't have to boil shells if they are clean and free of dead organisms. Just rinse them off under tap water and as long as they are free of chemicals, they ware safe to use.

If you have a big tank, then adding a few small shells probably won't affect the pH, but you will have to monitor the pH for a few weeks while they are in the tank.

 

[Naughts]

No, they will slowly dissolve in acid water making the water harder, which is unsuitable for soft water fish like betta. Maybe you could arrange some of them in front/ to the side of the tank?

 

[metropolis93fan]

Thank you all! Not up to monitoring that closely just for some shells. Doggone it!

 

[StevenF]

Yes in acidic water they will dissolve, Very slowly. With weekly water changes the change in GH is small. It the PH is above 7 nothing happens to the shells. In a fresh water tank it is almost impossible for the sehells to push the PH to 7.4. I use sea shells in my RO water tank to control the PH. It stays very close to 7 all the time. The boiled shells are safe to add to the tank and they don't have any salt.. One shell in my small shrimp tank will last about a year.