Cleaning Red Tide Shells for Tank Use

Zakary2003

Well-Known Member
View Badges
Joined
Jun 30, 2023
Messages
565
Reaction score
259
Location
Jacksonville
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey everyone.
My brother and I went to the beach today. We were in the Tampa area of Florida, specifically Fort Desoto. There were a ton of shells and dead/dying sea creatures. There is detectable red tide in the water but it isn't in full bloom yet.

We collected a ton of small and medium sized empty shells for my aquarium's hermit crabs. How do I clean the shells properly to remove any remains of red tide organisms or toxins?

I want to be 100% safe or I will just throw the shells out or give the nice ones to people who want the shells for stuff other than aquarium usage. If it isn't possible to decontaminate the shells, I don't want them.
 

Science/G

2500 Club Member
View Badges
Joined
Nov 26, 2021
Messages
3,830
Reaction score
3,206
Location
Miami
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
The toxins cannot be cooked out of shellfish prepared for eating ,but the shells, probably not an issue. I would soak them in some bleach water for a few days to ensure all organics are broken down, then a soak in heavily dechlorinated water.
 

Gulfaquatics

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Mar 15, 2025
Messages
1
Reaction score
1
Location
Tampa Bay
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey everyone.
My brother and I went to the beach today. We were in the Tampa area of Florida, specifically Fort Desoto. There were a ton of shells and dead/dying sea creatures. There is detectable red tide in the water but it isn't in full bloom yet.

We collected a ton of small and medium sized empty shells for my aquarium's hermit crabs. How do I clean the shells properly to remove any remains of red tide organisms or toxins?

I want to be 100% safe or I will just throw the shells out or give the nice ones to people who want the shells for stuff other than aquarium usage. If it isn't possible to decontaminate the shells, I don't want them.
I got some stuff from Ft Desoto about 5 days ago the put it in my tank and it killed 75% of everything. Be careful.
 

Alondra

New Member
View Badges
Joined
Jul 13, 2025
Messages
2
Reaction score
1
Location
Tampa, Florida
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Hey everyone.
My brother and I went to the beach today. We were in the Tampa area of Florida, specifically Fort Desoto. There were a ton of shells and dead/dying sea creatures. There is detectable red tide in the water but it isn't in full bloom yet.

We collected a ton of small and medium sized empty shells for my aquarium's hermit crabs. How do I clean the shells properly to remove any remains of red tide organisms or toxins?

I want to be 100% safe or I will just throw the shells out or give the nice ones to people who want the shells for stuff other than aquarium usage. If it isn't possible to decontaminate the shells, I don't want them.
What part of Fort Desoto you went? I’m from the area need some shells.
 

TOP 10 Trending Threads

WHAT AMOUNT OF LIVE ROCK AND SAND SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED FOR OPTIMAL BIODIVERSITY/FILTRATION?

  • 100% live rock + bagged sand

    Votes: 34 27.0%
  • 100% dry rock + 100% live sand

    Votes: 45 35.7%
  • 50/50 live/dry rock, 50/50 live/bagged sand

    Votes: 27 21.4%
  • 75% live rock, 25% live sand

    Votes: 11 8.7%
  • 25% live rock, 75% live sand

    Votes: 9 7.1%
Back
Top