Saltwater Tanks - How do I clean shells I find locally? Steralize?

Question

I want to steralize a couple shells I found locally and put them in my reef tank. How do I steralize them so they do not have any bacteria?

Answer 1

To be totally honest I wouldn't do it due to the risk of introducing a parasite or disease into the reef tank, but if you are willing to take the risk....

First I would suggest you allow them to dry completely and give them a sniff to be sure there is no dead and rotting animal still in the shell. Assuming there is not then a good scrubbing with a clean brush and a short boil will clean them up enough for use in your tank. Be sure the boiling water reaches as far into the shell as possible and again allow it to dry for several days before using. Your biggest single danger is introducing parasites or other disease causing organisms into the tank, boiling and then completely drying the shells will help limit this risk.

MM

Answer 2

Use salt and a brush to clean dirt off. Boil, or cook in a hot oven. It works for large and small rocks you want to use, too.

Answer 3

Boil them on the stove. I've done that with rocks and stuff from our backyard and had no problem.

Answer 4

Boil them. It kills bacteria, but you can hardly expect them not to have any bacteria at all.

Answer 5

welll i just rinse with cold water then let them sit in boiling water then finally rinse with cold water agian and stick them in!