Large shells as part of aquascape?

[SixlineRyan]

Has anyone ever used or seen someone use large seashells in their aquascape? My grandmother went to Australia like 20 years ago and brought back some large shells that I've inherited.

Looking around I don't actually see many instances of people using them in their scapes. I'm just sort of goofing around with options / possibilities at the moment.

Any pics to share? Thoughts?

 

[X-37B]

Glue a cyphastrea to the shell. It will cover it in time and produce an unusual look.

 

[Mr_Knightley]

I have used giant clam shells as part of my aquascape before, and often have more medium/small sized conch and whelk shells on the sandbed, but have never thought to use big shells in the aquascape itself. Personally, if I were to do it I'd want to use more weathered shells (like the second pic) so they blended in a little better and felt like they've really been part of the rockscape for a while.

 

[PPBlimpy]

I have a large clam shell I plan to use in my next scape as a cave.

done right and it could look pretty cool but a shell like that may be a detritus trap

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Personally I like it, I think its a good idea. I'm not so sure about it sticking out at weird angle like that, I might incorporate it a bit more discreetly myself. But well done!

 

[SixlineRyan]

I have used giant clam shells as part of my aquascape before, and often have more medium/small sized conch and whelk shells on the sandbed, but have never thought to use big shells in the aquascape itself. Personally, if I were to do it I'd want to use more weathered shells (like the second pic) so they blended in a little better and felt like they've really been part of the rockscape for a while.

I agree on the middle shell. That's the one I was actually happy with. I'd like to get the other big one in there, but making it look organic has been the challenge.

 

[SixlineRyan]

Glue a cyphastrea to the shell. It will cover it in time and produce an unusual look.

Some sort of encrusting coral was the idea. My knee jerk choices were a pink lepto or the beach bum monti, but a Cyphastrea would be rad!

 

[SantaMonica Verified Sponsor]

Shells are just calcium carbonate like live rock, so it's really a matter of appearance. FW uses lots of shells.

 

[BryanM]

I like the look quite a bit, but in my tank old shells generally get covered by algae over time.

 

[kitti-fish]

I sprinkled a bunch of shells in my tank. I find that bristle worms like to use them to hide and the hermits just eat the algea off of them. It also adds to the natural feel!