Sea Shells

[fatbobsufc]

Hi, I collected some beautiful sea shells from the shore at the weekend. Has anyone had any experience of putting them in their tank? I know they cause pH to rise when they are crushed - is this the case with whole ones too? I am familiar with the vinegar test and will be trying this later. My pH is already quite high so I need to take care.

 

[Angry_Platy]

If it passes the vinegar test it is OK as far as I am aware....

Let us know

 

[DarkSide]

Can you explain this vinegar test?

 

[handsomeboy]

its where if u pour vinegar on it it fizzes then its alkaline

 

[OohFeeshy]

I think you need to boil or bake them first to get rid of any bacteria on them. Boiling wil be better as it will also gt rid of any bits of seaweed on them.

 

[Dubby]

IMO, any sea shell worth its repute should fizz when you add vinegar thats why they are called shells arent they?

 

[freddyk]

The vinegar test is really for rocks, not shells.

Sea shells can potentially raise the ph, but unless you really plan on loading your tank with them the affect will be insignificant. In small quantities they're perfectly safe.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

they will slowly disentegrate, however. because the minerals in shells are bonded relatively loosely, the water will slowly dissolve them into their component elements over the course of the next year or so.

this might not be a very big problem if you have hard, alkaline water already, but i suspect that will just slow the process further and not stop it.

 

[steelhealr]

Hi..I have to disagree with Freddy K. Vinegar is acetic acid (CH3COOH). Shells (most) are composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).

CaCO3 + 2 CH3COOH --> Ca(CH3COO)2 + H2O + CO2

That is....2 vinegar molecules combine with the calcium carbonate to release water and a CO2 molecule (the bubbles). Rocks will do it too if they contain calcium carbonate. So.....shells WILL release calcium over time, harden the water and also increase kH. The magnitude just depends on how many shells are put in. Hope this helps. SH

 

[freddyk]

er.. well, I really meant to say shells are an obvious-test not needed, while rocks aren't so obvious.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

er.. well, I really meant to say

don't you hate it when that happens? good to see it's not just me that does it.

 

[NeveR]

I'd be super careful the next time you're out collecting shells.

Be wary of cone shaped ones especially.

Certain cone shaped shells are very much alive when you pick them up, and have the ability to shoot highly toxic/poisonous darts through clothing, wet suits, gloves, etc. and directly into skin.

If you do not recieve medical attention ASAP, you have a very high chance of respiratory arrest, shock, and other symptoms including death.

Sorry to be such a downer but it's for your own benefit.

Be careful.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

I'd be super careful the next time you're out collecting shells.

Be wary of cone shaped ones especially.

Certain cone shaped shells are very much alive when you pick them up, and have the ability to shoot highly toxic/poisonous darts through clothing, wet suits, gloves, etc. and directly into skin.

If you do not recieve medical attention ASAP, you have a very high chance of respiratory arrest, shock, and other symptoms including death.

Sorry to be such a downer but it's for your own benefit.

Be careful.

...
are you sure that's applicable on all beaches?

you must be from australia. everything can kill you in australia. its all toxic.

 

[NeveR]

Lmao, nope, i'm from Canada.

I just read about it like 5 minutes before I posted, on some marine dangers website.

 

[LoachLover]

its where if u pour vinegar on it it fizzes then its alkaline

lol, I'll have to remember that.