I just got back from the lake and found 3 of the same shells. I just finished removing the dirt and stuff inside the empty shells and now they're sitting in warm water. Do you think it's ok to put them in my 10 gallon freshwater aquarium?
2007-06-26 08:46:29 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Fish
Just keep an eye on your pH. I know it sounds strange, but I've had customers put shells from lakes in their tanks and they turned out to be saltwater shells. I have no idea how they got there, but saltwater shells will mess up your pH no matter how much you boil them.
2007-06-26 09:00:42 · answer #1 · answered by larey 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would put some of the tank water in a container deep enough to hold the shells (covered completely). Let them sit in the tank water for about a week or so. Just make sure they are clean before you go through the soaking process. I have put several sea shells in my 55 gallon freshwater tank - with no adverse affects on the fish. Good luck!
2007-06-26 08:53:11 · answer #2 · answered by suzydiver 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes! I think that's great how you want to make your aquarium look nice! That's good how you are keeping them in warm water. I would keep them in warm water over night. Keep changing out the water so that it stays warm. I would change it every 5 hours or so! Hope your fish like the new shells too!
2007-06-26 08:50:47 · answer #3 · answered by my guinea pig ToTo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't just put them in warm water, you need to boil them to kill as many bacteria as you can, you may want to add some salt to the water you are boiling to kill any salt intolerant bacteria. If you do use salt, make sure to rinse it thoroughly before dropping it in your tank. I did this with a sea snail shell that I found at the beach, my Dwarf Frog loves going back as far as he can into the spiral, turning around, and just looking out the entrance. Good luck!
Nosoop4u
2007-06-26 12:14:37 · answer #4 · answered by nosoop4u246 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have always wanted tiger barbs too, but I never had the guts because I heard they were semi-aggressive. But they come in several colors. If you have plenty of plants (fake or real) to break up the territories and not too many barbs, you could have a barb dedicated tank. I might just try it, now that I think about it. Maybe four tiger barbs and a Mini crab with three or four mystery snail for algae cleanup. That way tiger barbs could be the only fish but not the only livestock. What do you think?
2016-04-01 05:45:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
larey has the right idea. shell are just calcium carbonate and will leach minerals into your tank, if you have an african cichlid set upor a saltwater tank this is a good thing, but most of the fish kept are from the amazon and need soft water without these minerals in them.
if you can drip vinegar on them and they don't bubble you can add them.
2007-06-29 20:48:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rinse them many times maybe even boil them before you do. The bacteria from the lake could infest your tank and kill your fish. It is always best to clean anything you put in a tank. if its from outside it is best to boil the item since it isn;t plastic.
2007-06-26 08:50:53 · answer #7 · answered by thesoulcaged 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I think its very creative!!!!! Try putting them in boiling hot water to kill ALL of the bacteria. I think that it will make the aquarium look nice and that is a very smart idea of yours.....GOOD LUCK!!!!
Gaby =D
2007-06-26 08:54:34 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 small shells should be ok, but don't get too many in the tank or they will start to affect your pH and cause problems for your fish.
MM
2007-06-26 09:11:43 · answer #9 · answered by magicman116 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
make sure you boil them to avoid spreading possible bacteria that could be sitting in the lake. and make sure they aren't to big for the tank. don't over crowd it will look very nice if its all natural looking.
2007-06-26 09:01:04 · answer #10 · answered by stephanie c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋