Using Oyster Shells In Tropical Tank

[Jimmy Twotimes]

Went to a fish restaurant and we had oysters and i kept back a couple of shells to put in my community aquarium tank. They have been soaking in hot water for a bit and i intend to give them a good clean but just wanted to check that they wont cause any issue in my tank.

Maybe a silly question but thought i'd ask anyway.

Thanks.

 

[fluttermoth]

They won't cause issues, as such, but they will slowly dissolve and harden your water slightly. Depends what kind of fish you have really. If you've got fish that prefer soft water, like tetras or South American dwarf chiclids it might not be such a great idea

 

[OldMan47]

The oyster shells will have a tendency to dissolve in most tanks and to raise the TDS, the KH and the GH of the water. If you have fish that could use a bit of a boost in hardness and pH, you will have no problem placing them into your tank. If you are raising fish that do best in low pH low mineral content water, the oyster shells will give you a bit of a problem.