can i use a conch and crib shells in a tank?

[spacenyc]

just got back from Bahamas and i have some conch shells i bought. can i use them in a sw tank. also have some dried corals and shells my son found on a beach can i use them? BTW a few snail shells my son found are now moving so i will post some pics for id later. everything is in a qt tank at present

 

[Malibu361]

I have a conch shell in mine ...

 

[aznt1217]

lol. I brought back a Giant Conch shell. how were you able to bring back more than one.... Customs said only a Adult one with a well flared lip can be brought. Interesting.

Yes you can use it... it's in the ocean and eventually turns into the calcium carbonate rock/platform that some parts of the bahamas is made out of

 

[Timbo]

Make sure you boil them first.

 

[spacenyc]

boil them?

for how long? wont they crack or discolor if i boil them, i was going to put them in tap water for a few days?

 

[Keith P]

BTW a few snail shells my son found are now moving

Moving? Like still alive?

 

[spacenyc]

i tried

if i had planned it out before hand i probably could have gotten a live one, they are like clams in carib, eaten everywhere. but the shells are garbage to the locals so they sell them to tourists very cheap.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

WHY????

Make sure you boil them first.

 

[Timbo]

To make sure there is nothing that can harm your tank inside or on the shells.

 

[spacenyc]

yes, still alive

will post some pics later of what they are, son picked up some shells on the beach and left them in a cup, when i put everything in some ro water to clean up they started moving