Would it be ok to use this dead coral in my aquascape?

[MamaLovesHerReefTank]

I was recently given 2 pieces of coral that has been dead and out of water for probably 50 yrs. My uncle who was in the Canadian Navy 50 years ago, brought it back from Australia for my Grandmother. My cousin recently passed this to me as he knows how much I love my tank. Is there anyway I could use this in my aquascape? If so, what should I do to clean it and prepare it for my tank? Here are pics of both pieces.

 

[MamaLovesHerReefTank]

bump

 

[Finhead]

I might bleach it to get rid of anything that may be on or in it but other than that it should be fine.

 

[SashimiTurtle]

Perfectly fine...

 

[cracker]

Don't see why not. Back in the day that's what every body used .

 

[ReefQueen]

I tried using dead coral in a tank once and didn't like the results. Now I use them as decor around the house

I bleached them to get them nice and white again. Those are nice pieces, I am surprised they have been around that long and are still in such good shape!

 

[Reef Stu]

I tried using dead coral in a tank once and didn't like the results. Now I use them as decor around the house

I bleached them to get them nice and white again. Those are nice pieces, I am surprised they have been around that long and are still in such good shape!

I agree, the coral wont look as good covered in algae. It’s sounds like a wonderful souvenir with a great story. Perhaps you might want to think about preserving it on a shelf. [emoji1]

 

[HB AL]

Absolutely, I have a bunch just can't see it anymore.

 

[Waters]

I agree with some of the others....won't take long to be covered in everything undesirable that grows in our tanks. I think it would look much better on a shelf next to the tank

 

[MamaLovesHerReefTank]

I tried using dead coral in a tank once and didn't like the results. Now I use them as decor around the house

I bleached them to get them nice and white again. Those are nice pieces, I am surprised they have been around that long and are still in such good shape!

I almost had my mind made up until seeing your reply. I've decided not to put it in my tank and use it on one of my shelves instead. I have a few pieces of dead coral already in my tank and I hate how they've discolored. Decision made. Thank you.

 

[reefndude]

I actually like using dead corals in my tank. Hold frags plugs very well. Eventually it will blend with other rocks

 

[marcos.o]

I tried using dead coral in a tank once and didn't like the results. Now I use them as decor around the house

I bleached them to get them nice and white again. Those are nice pieces, I am surprised they have been around that long and are still in such good shape!

May I ask which results you didn’t like?

 

[NashobaTek]

I prefer the look and if you clean it off, it adds some color.

 

[DeniseAndy]

Could try to get a monti/zoa/gsp or other encrusting type coral to grow over it and maybe look like some alien coral. That would be pretty cool.
I use nice ones like those as show pieces outside the aquarium.