Shells from the ocean, yes or no

[NameThatTuna]

Hi guys n gals I got some shells while visiting the ocean, and they’ve been drying out in a plastic bag for almost 3 months. I’m wondering if I can dust them off n throw them in? I have a 90gal reef w fish, and a 50gal frag tank. Thanks for info

 

[kichimark]

I have done this a few times to a tank I have at school and it never was a problem.

 

[MimicOcto8]

Yes you can. Just make sure they’re clean. Unfortunately my daughter now thinks we need to take home shells daily for the tank.

 

[norfolkgarden]

If they are just clean bivalve shells without any barnacles or whatever, rinse them well in the sink and they should be fine.

If they are snail shells, you can take some tank water and an airstone and an ammonia badge and stick it in a bowl or large jar and watch it for a few days.
If the snail shells don't stink they are probably fine but I would do it just to be sure.

Snails can be vectors for several diseases.

We have a fair number of snail shells and bivalve shells taken from "clean" beaches in our tank.
We have never had a problem with it.

 

[kendavjac]

Living next to beach as long as I have had tanks. I done this many times, but I also used NSW for water changes when I lived in Miami