Tuesday, January 24, 2012

How can I sanitize shells and coral from the ocean?

For a freshwater fish tank.

How can I sanitize shells and coral from the ocean?
I will advise against using shells or coral from the ocean in a fresh water tank.



Using shells and coral will raise your ph level to around 8.2



That said, you need to mix 1/4 cup bleach with a gallon of water and let the shells and coral soak for a day. Remove them rinse and soak in fresh dechlor water (use the declor you use for your tank) let it soak a few hours and rinse. Place in your tank.



Again, I will caution you from putting these items in your tank.
Reply:I wouldn't reccomend to put shells and/or corals in a freshwater tank because it might affect the pH and the softness of the water. I would try getting some from the petstore: easier, and safer.
Reply:Soak them in a solution of bleach and water for a few hours to a few days then be sure to rinse all the bleach off thoroughly.
Reply:boil them in hot water for at least 20 minutes... and of course let them cool before adding to your tank :P
Reply:NEVER BLEACH IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON PUTTING THEM IN A TANK WITH FISH!!! I agree with the guy above it is not save to put stuff you bring home from the ocean in your tank. There are living bacteria on that stuff that you can not kill and it will most likely kill your fish. You can however clean it with vinegar and that wont harm your fish, but it wont kill the ocean bacteria.
Reply:hot water
Reply:I just soaked it in water and then let it dry out over a few weeks. I've got some shells and coral from Cuba that I found on the beach. I figured that the waves and sand would have eroded any rotting bits of animal, and the bacteria would die on it's own in fresh water and then dry air.
Reply:It is not necessary to ask the same question twice!


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