A water set-up without shells seems incomplete! So go ahead and put some shells to
add form and color to your tank. The guidelines for shells are similar to those
for stones. Size should not be less than 2cms in diameter and sharp edges should be avoided.
Shells have a higher tendency for algae growth, and tend to turn slimy
quicker. So they require more maintenance than stones. Flat discuss shells are
preferred to conch-shaped ones as the insides of the latter are nearly impossible to clean, and
would accumulate waste. Shells can be put in one part of the land area, to provide an alternative
texture.
Maintenance
Shells need to be cleaned every 5-7 days. They should be collected from
the tank, cleaned and returned to the tank only after the water has also been
changed and not before. Shells should not be subjected to strong detergents,
acids or other cleaning ingredients, as they tend to have surface aberrations fine
cracks that could absorb these. It could release these chemicals into the tank
water later, polluting it.
The best way to clean shells is to rinse
it thoroughly under high-pressure water stream. They should also be scrubbed
using an old toothbrush, especially along the rough surfaces, beneath the curved
edges, troughs, fissures etc. as this where most waste can collect.
If you notice any green growth or the shell surface is slimy to touch, throw away
the shell! It's very hard to sterilize a shell 100%. You could try the boiling the shell under
pressure in a pressure cooker for 15 minutes and following it with a 'heat-treatment'
in your oven at 150oC for 25-30 minutes.
Shells of varying
kinds and colors are easily (and cheaply) available with pet stores, so
avoid picking up anything from the beach. But if you pick up any sterilize before you put them into the tank.
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