Question about Seashells

[Puriti]

I have a bunch of seashells I bought at the craftstore a long time ago and I was just curious if you can put them in the tank without screwing any of the parameters up or if it's just safer to leave them out.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

Do the vinegar test. If they are real seashells and they fizz, they are not safe.

 

[Puriti]

They are real seashells, so I take it that I shouldn't use them for the same reason I don't use rocks that fizz

 

[tropicfishman]

vinegar test???? please tell me how you do this?

 

[toddnbecka]

It depends on what kind of fish you have. Livebearers like mollies prefer hard alkaline water, so seashells won't do any harm.

The vinegar test means dropping a bit of vinegar on a rock or shell to see it it reacts. If it fizzes, acidic water will also react with it, relaesing minerals, hardening the water, and raising pH.

 

[devilfluff]

How would alkaline water react?

I'm perusing my new tank options, and I have some beautiful shells that have been hiding in a cabinet... my water usually sits at a pH around 8.0

I think they would make nice, natural looking decorations... but I'm nervous about adding them to a tank...

 

[toddnbecka]

If the pH is 8.0, the seashells would help buffer the pH. Crushed coral substrate does the same thing, I use it in my african tanks. Seashells alone won't keep the pH from dropping from biological activity over the long run. I add baking soda and epsom salt to my water to raise and stabilize the pH between partials. The Tanganykian shell-dweller cichlids actually spawn in snail shells, and would be a good choice for a small (arouund to gal) tank with hard, alkaline water. I found out through experience it's easier to raise and maintain high pH than to lower it.