Snail Shells

[BaylorPerez]

when a snail dies, and you get the snail out of the shell, what are the benefits of keeping that shell within the tank?, i have read that the snail shell will disintegrate and release the nutrients from it into the tank, another said that its just for the decoration aspect? does it depend on the snail breed? like for a trumpet snail or pond snail shell where its small and can be crushed easily, or a nerite snail shell which is for decoration?  

 

[StevenF]

The shell (mainly made of calcium carbonate and Magnesium carbonate which plants and animals need) will slowly dissolve over time.  The rate depends on your water hardness and it could take years for the shell to disappear..