Real shells in the tank.

[AChambers5]

Hey i know the oceans are polluted and it isnt recommended to use shells found in the wild in your tank, but could you? I guess i am wondering is there any level of boiling and cleaning i could do to achieve a sterile level and make it alright to use?
thanks,
Andrew

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[jimsflies]

Try not to collect the shells on a beach covered in tar balls. Then a soak in bleach water, a little boil, and rinse. I think the risk would be minimal at that point. I think that would be fine.

[thefishgirl]

I occasionally use shells I've found washing up on the beach. As @jimsflies mentioned, I do avoid the ones covered in tar balls. LOL (I've never actually witnessed tar balls, except on TV thankfully.) I've never had issues, but then I also don't cover the tank in them either. I use a couple of handfuls scattered about my tank floor.

My method:
Generally, what I've done is bring them home and wash them with very hot / boiling water. Then I lay them outside on my bistro table for like a year or more in the sun. This method ensures that they are always in the way and that I don't eat outside. Instead I lay on the couch with a plate in my lap avoiding mosquitoes and other pesky critters. This also makes the probability high that I will have sea shells scattered in the backyard to remind me of my awesome trips to the seas. The best reminder so far was when I shot a little conch shell through the window of my garage with the lawnmower. That was awesome!

Enjoy your seashells!!

[Chris]

Do you put live snails/ crabs or clams in your tank..... your putting shells from the ocean in your tank and don't normally rinse those. I'm sure you could bring in some kind of something on them even really.

But yeah a rinse, boil even a vinegar or bleach soak wouldn't be a bad idea. That said, I wouldn't use more then a couple because they will just become a place for detrius to build up and cause issues, but you could do it.

[AChambers5]

Thanks for all the advice, yea i was just planning on using a small handful. I dont know if i have the patience to let them sit for a year but ill be sure to clean them good. I would have love to see your shooting shells fish girl, sorry i missed that!
Andrew