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05/27/2008, 01:50 PM
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#1 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Broomfield, CO
Posts: 40
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Hobby store shells?
Can they be added to a tank or do they need to be cured prior to putting them into the tank?
Wanting to add some conch shells to my tank! |
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05/27/2008, 02:14 PM
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#2 |
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Moved On
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Maryland, metro area
Posts: 1,219
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As far as I know conch shells are calcium based.
no need to cure unless dirty. I would think for the paranoid let shell soak for a fulll day then shake it a few times and see if anything dead falls out. I am looking for one myself. |
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05/27/2008, 02:52 PM
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#3 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Central IA
Posts: 165
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I bought a bag of shells from a hobby store, rinsed them with tap water, and threw them in. They didn't seem to cause a problem for me. My jawfish loved them. I also had three or four conch shells from the beach that I had had for several years before I set up my tank. Did the same with them without a problem.
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05/27/2008, 02:55 PM
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#4 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Central IA
Posts: 165
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But then again, I'm not one of "the paranoid."
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05/27/2008, 03:41 PM
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#5 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 890
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i boil mine for about 10 minutes then throw them in the tank (after they cool down).
__________________
180g FOWLR "Sun bathing on the floor next to your tank is not, in any way equivalent to spending time outdoors." |
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05/27/2008, 04:30 PM
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#6 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Glendale
Posts: 696
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I boil mine as well. Nothing bad has ever happened with it.
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05/27/2008, 06:19 PM
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#7 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 641
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+3 for boiling... got some shells/very dry, bleached coral skeletons from Thailand given to me, boiled them and tossed em in, no issues at all.
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05/27/2008, 06:50 PM
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#8 |
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Premium Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cheektowaga
Posts: 851
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+4 for the paranoid
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05/27/2008, 08:01 PM
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#9 | |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 262
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Quote:
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05/27/2008, 09:17 PM
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#10 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 641
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No growth at all, just like it were dry rock.
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05/27/2008, 09:24 PM
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#11 |
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Registered Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Iowa
Posts: 262
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how long have they been in though???
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05/27/2008, 09:27 PM
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#12 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cheektowaga
Posts: 851
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You will. It just takes time.
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05/27/2008, 09:53 PM
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#13 |
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HereWeGoAgain...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,648
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I've always wondered about this as well. I see bags of empty shells at wal mart in the craft section. I was never sure about using them in the tank. I cant tell if they have any type of lacquer, or varnish on them. If they did would they still be safe to use?
__________________
I've been in the hobby for about 10 years....(so I know a little bit)...(but not all that much).... Current Tank Info: 58G. Oceanic (Starphire). Mixed Reef |
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05/27/2008, 10:01 PM
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#14 |
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Premium Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cheektowaga
Posts: 851
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If they have some kind of finish on them I wouldn't try it.
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05/27/2008, 10:38 PM
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#15 |
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HereWeGoAgain...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,648
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The problem is I cant tell if they have something on them, or if they are just naturally shiny. Im not willing to take any chances unless I know for sure. I guess you can put me on "the paranoid" list as well.
Its a shame too because they are nice looking shells that I know the hermits would use.
__________________
I've been in the hobby for about 10 years....(so I know a little bit)...(but not all that much).... Current Tank Info: 58G. Oceanic (Starphire). Mixed Reef |
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