Q&amp;A for Decorations Category

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Be reasonable when adding seashells to a freshwater tank. The fresh water will break down the shell's enamel and allow it to leach into your tank causing hardness and PH problems. It does not matter if they were sanitized prior. Lets say you can safely put one shell the size of cell phone per 15 gallons.

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6 months ago

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northern NJ, just outside of NY

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Sometimes when you have a low PH problem this is a good and natural way to "buff" up your PH. Just do not use too many. Some shells will hold uneaten food and debris so that could cause you problems. They will slowly dissolve and become dull looking over time, so if you really like your shell the aquarium water will ruin the shiny look after a while. Sometimes a fish will swim in and not be able to get out again, so that could be a problem too. Just be sure the shells have been boiled or cleaned in some way that does not involve soap as the phosphates in soap will kill your fish.

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1 year, 5 months ago

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mermaidaquarium

Dallas Texas

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Patti I have taken care of aquariums for 20 years starting out with a ten gallon and moving up to my current 120 gallon. I have used real shells from the ocen plenty of times with no harm. They will not dissolve in your tank and barely even need washed off before dropping them in. They are a nice addition to an aquarium to give it an under the sea look.

1 year, 9 months ago

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nebraska

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The answer would probably be; No.

Most tropical fish like a lower pH than the ocean. Not all, but most.

Sea Shells are made of calcium and slowly dissolve in your tank. They will raise the pH.

They might not even look as if they are giving off anything but they can.

Unless you have fish who like a high pH I would not add them. You can also test to see if they cause much changes in fresh water. Put some distilled water in a small bucket. After it stays exposed to the fresh air a day with de-chlorinator in it. (lets the pH swing from the air happen.) Test the pH in the bucket and record on something. Place the shells in bucket. Test the water every day for a week and record. The odds are the pH will slowly drift up. If the shells are soft it will raise fast.
You can use this test on rocks you also wish to place in your tank. I once had a pH drift and thought it was my decorations. They soaked in a bucket for a few days and the pH did not ever change. It turned out my gravel was a bad batch and the manufacture sent me replacement bags! I would of never thought the gravel was contaminated until I soaked some in water outside the tank. The pH kept going up!! It had small pieces of sea shell in it!

This is where I say the opposite:
Growing up I kept Cowry shells in my Tropical fish tank. They are very hard and dense. The ones I had did not seem to affect the water quality much. They are some of the harder shells one can get. Water changes are also a must. Most tanks require at least 20% a month using a hydro-vac. If you like Neon tetras and other fish that like a pH of 6.5 to 7. I would not put any shells of any kind in your tank.

Hope this helps.

2 years, 2 months ago

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sterling

Longmont, CO

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Thank you for your question. If you need an answer right away, and donâ€™t wish to wait for another customer to respond, please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-443-1160 or email CustomerService@FosterandSmithAquatics.com.

2 years, 2 months ago

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DrsFosterSmithStaff1

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what is the best way to clean aquarium decor?

when the algae gets a little thick on fake plants and stuff in the aquarium, what is the best way to remove it? I am currently using hot water and a scrub brush...but that is painstaking work. Is there an easier and faster way?

1 year, 9 months ago

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ScubaSteev

Ohio

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You will need patience but many algaes will die off if you lay the decoration out in the sun for a week, sometimes two. It also helps to pour some peroxide on the algae prior to the sunbath. Don't forget to rinse!

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6 months ago

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northern NJ, just outside of NY

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Try something called WIPE OUT 1. It is a terrarium & small animal cleaner, I used it for my turtle tank. I now been using it for a few years on my betta and goldfish bowls and decorations. Spray it on, walk away and then hot water rinse.

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9 months ago

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maxie52

ri

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One way I do it is with Aquarium Salt. I let it soak in a bucket for about an hour, then scrub it off with a tooth brush and rinse. It is a time consuming job, but it is worth it in the end. An even better way, is to get fish that are algae eaters. Depending what fish you currently have, their temperment, and aquarium size, will limit what you can purcase. If you have very mild in nature fish, you can go with Chinese algae eaters, but they can be a little tempermental when it comes to territory, but are excellent for any size aquarium, as they stay relatively small. Plecos on the other hand, get pretty large, so a large tank is a must. Even said that, you can put a pleco with just about any fish, because they have very hard scales and spikes to defend themselves. But both are VERY excellent and work nonstop cleaning your decor, and even the glass! Either way, your plants and decor will look nice and clean

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1 year, 2 months ago

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Shermanator

Williston, North Dakota

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Top 500 Contributor

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If you have it removed and can, try soaking it in a little vinegar. I know that worked to remove salt from my aquarium pieces and most of the vinegar will evaporate off so you will just need to rinse it when done.

1 year, 9 months ago

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nebraska

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I know that I can not put just anything in an aquarium for decoration, but what about things that are made of resin?

I want to make a sea scape in my tropical 10 gallon tank but everything I find is sunken ships and such. never any faux sea shells. I know real ones will kill my fish. Any suggestions?

2 years, 3 months ago

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Laur

Red Bud, IL

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Good point! there are no fake sea shells that I am aware of. Try our new Jellyfish decorations. A medium package has two jellyfish of different sizes and colors.

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6 months ago

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northern NJ, just outside of NY

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Real shells will not kill your fish I have been an aquarium enthisist for 20 years and have almost always had real shells in my tank!! I have also had some crazy long fish lifespans.

1 year, 9 months ago

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nebraska

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Thank you for your question. Please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-443-1160. You can also email them at CustomerService@FosterAndSmithAquatics.com.

2 years, 2 months ago

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Anonymous

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Can I use sea shells for my Betta's aquarium? What should the ph be for a Betta?

1 year, 10 months ago

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Desiree

Houston, TX

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One shell is more than enough. Shells are from the salty sea. Their enamel leaches into your Betta's water as fresh water breaks it down. PH 6.8 to 7.2

Age: 55-65

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6 months ago

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northern NJ, just outside of NY

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Top 500 Contributor

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Real shells wont harm anything. As for ph 6.8 to 7.2 but try to keep is stable.

1 year, 9 months ago

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nebraska

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if it were me, i would not use real sea shells in a betta aquarium. i have always kept bettas around 7.o ph . real sea shells tend to make the water more alkaline and your ph will go up. hope this helps.

1 year, 9 months ago

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ScubaSteev

Ohio

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Where are all the artificial plants?

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1 year, 6 months ago

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mermaidaquarium

Dallas Texas

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In pet shops and tropical fish stores.

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6 months ago

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northern NJ, just outside of NY

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Thank you for your question. Artificial plants may be found at the below link on our website:

http://pet-supplies.drsfostersmith.... plants&af=cat1:fish type:product&isort=score&method=and&ts=results&ed=fish

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1 year, 6 months ago

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DRS1

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