Bad Idea?

[Rlon35]

We have had some storms here...I live on the ocean. The storms washed up these dark, wood-like corals everywhere. I have put them into my bamboo-holding plant basins, on my terrace, with great asthetic results. Now, can I boil these, bleach them rinse them, delcorinate the water, and then place them into my freshwater planted aquarium??? I don't know if I can get rid of the salinity, but bacteria and algae issues should be taken care of. I don't want to signficantly harden my water (I jut got it towards the 'soft side'), but I was wondering if I could get away with adding one or two pieces to my 55g planted tank...

 

[RadaR]

Honestly doubt it but I reckon the salty guys in the marine section would have a better understanding of the wood's affect.

 

[lljdma06]

If it is a true coral, then no, as they are comprised of calcium and will effect the chemistry of your water. One reason why shells are not put in a Freshwater tank.

 

[Rlon35]

Yeah, I have decided not to risk it. I was looking for a way to hide my internal filter, truth be told, but water running through these dead corals sounds like it would most assuredly harden my water, and I am going to add Cardinals and Rams to this tank once I get rid of my clown loaches. Also, it seems that, aside from the plant munching, I have achieved a very good balance in the tank. Maybe I could just make a moss or riccia mesh and hung it over the Fluval 3 plus by making a hole that will hold it onto the output. I put the corals all of my terrace, and they look great.