Adding empty oyster shell to tank?

[GiannisK]

Hi everyone!

My friend went to Virginia and brought back some empty oyster shells. I’m wondering if I could add one to my tank, just for looks.

Does anyone have experience with this? I saw some people say they do it all the time, others warning that it would introduce harmful pests/bacteria. I don’t see the latter happening because I would either soak them in hydroxide or outright bleach them before adding. But could this have a harmful effect? Could the shells absorb and re-release chlorine?

Thanks!!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

The shells will be fine. Just make sure there is no tissue still attached.

 

[GiannisK]

The shells will be fine. Just make sure there is no tissue still attached.

Do you recommend soaking them in peroxide just in case?

 

[FurrierTransform]

You can boil the shells to get rid of anything potentially harmful.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

It

Do you recommend soaking them in peroxide just in case?

It wouldn’t hurt, but likely isn’t necessary.

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

One of the first LFS’s I ever went to in very early 90”s had a really nice display tank filtered by oyster shells in their wet dry.

Nothing to worry about.

 

[GiannisK]

You can boil the shells to get rid of anything potentially harmful.

I’ve heard that boiling rock can release harmful fumes, couldn’t the same happen with oyster shells?

 

[CoastalTownLayabout]

I believe clam chowder related deaths to be statistically negligible in Nth America.

Seriously though, oyster shells should not have anything on them that would cause issues. I believe you might be referring to palythoa related incidents.

 

[GiannisK]

I believe clam chowder related deaths to be statistically negligible in Nth America.

Seriously though, oyster shells should not have anything on them that would cause issues. I believe you might be referring to palythoa related incidents.

Haha, good point!

 

[betareef]

Years ago I had a substrate of oyster shell - finely broken up into small pieces.

No problems with oyster shell, go for it. I would not use any chemicals. Boil it at most. I would just chuck it into the tank myself.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

I’ve heard that boiling rock can release harmful fumes, couldn’t the same happen with oyster shells?

No. I believe that concern relates to boiling reef tank rocks that may contain palythoas on it.

 

[Naekuh]

I believe clam chowder related deaths to be statistically negligible in Nth America.

Seriously though, oyster shells should not have anything on them that would cause issues. I believe you might be referring to palythoa related incidents.

but people in boston take there clam chowders seriously....


On that note, i dont see any benifit in adding oyster shells, unless its purely cosmetic.
If you think it will leach Ca, into your water, well, your water needs to be slightly acidic for any noticable amount to happen.

This is why Calcium reactors require CO2 injection.

But people in our hobby have been using barnicles and muscle shells for fishes like jawfish, so they don't end up ripping a coral out and using it as a xmas tree in front of its burrow.

So i don't see any negatives in having shells in your tank if for cosmetic reasons.

 

[CKW]

My 40gal has a shell bottom instead of sand. I have used broken shells for several years.
I collect them from the Atlantic beach where I live (Myrtle Beach SC.)
I soak them overnight in freshwater with a tablespoon of bleach. Rinse thoroughly and add them to the substrate as needed.

 

[davidm777]

A local seafood place sells live oysters. I was considering using the oyster shells to cultivate (cook, well not cook but dark cure) some dry rock. Based on the comments I don't see a reason not to. Live rock is expensive so I was considering this as an alternative to jumpstart bacteria.