Turtle Shell In A Fish Tank?

[ArauraDiscus]

Hi I found a box turtle shell in my local stream today. It must have fallen in and drowned. It is completely cleared out and probably has been dead for over a year. I was thinking of bleaching it, then dipping it in thiosulfate, and then using it as an ornament in my fish tank. Is this a really bad idea? I was thinking of using it in a planted tank down the road for some cave dwelling fish in a planned 125 gallong tank.

 

[Lhutch]

well the thing with that is make sure there is no fish, after the flesh is gone prettymuch all bacteria and scavengers leave it alone seeings its bone, i say go for it if u can fit it into the tank without making it look tacky, however still clean it out thoroghly

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Yeah the flesh is long gone from inside. It's encrusted with algae which I plan on removing it and any contaminants with the bleach, and then I will nuetralize the bleach.

 

[Lhutch]

k should be good then goodluck with that, post pics if ya get em!

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Lol will do. I think this will be sexay looking.

 

[ihasanzongi]

put it up side down on a big ant hill, within a week they will have cleared out every thing inside of it. they can even take the hole turtle within a month.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

That would be good if there was any meat, but it's been vacant for over a year. lol

 

[ihasanzongi]

ahhh i misread it..i thought there was still some of the turtle in the shell

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Can I get some other opinions. My family is worried that the shell wil leach phosphates and calcium. i'm sure it will leach calcium like most shells do and am prepared for that, but the phoshpate.. what other dangers are there?

 

[Lhutch]

people always put bones in fish tanks

 

[Lhutch]

i think it would probably be fine

 

[poopsydrew]

I would think if your ph was lower than 7 then the shell would slowly dissolve. I would also be a little worried about it leaching into the water.

Drew

Edit-I see you are thinking of some african shell dwellers, if so scratch the part about the low ph as obviously yours will be above 7.

 

[kribensis12]

I say go for it!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rdd1952]

You could probably just boil it good and kill any type parasites or other baddies that might be on it. The other ways you mentioned would work but would also be a lot hard and more time consuming. After it is clean by what ever means you choose, I don't see any problem with adding it to your tank.

 

[Lhutch]

OOOOOOOOOOOO i have a idea, make a mold out of it!!!!!!