Oyster shells?

[Racersk]

Hello all,

I have seen in this forum and others, where people are using crushed oyster shells as a filter media. My question is, why? Is this to buffer the waters PH or something? Bio media bedding?

I just found a source for free , if for bio, I can use these as a filter stage in a filter I'm building, free media rocks!

 

[RODinCALIFORNIA]

i use them in every tank to help my giant ramshorn and apple snails shells. i fill a filter bad full and put it in my sumps. its dirt cheap at animal feed stores where i buy it you get 5 pounds for 1.00

not sure about it being used as a 'filter' material never heard of that.

 

[Racersk]

i use them in every tank to help my giant ramshorn and apple snails shells. i fill a filter bad full and put it in my sumps. its dirt cheap at animal feed stores where i buy it you get 5 pounds for 1.00

not sure about it being used as a 'filter' material never heard of that.

So is it just to add additional minerals to the water-in your case- for your snails. Is this what most people are doing with the shells or have you heard of other benefits/drawbacks?

Like you stated, you can buy them for cheap, and I have found a free supply ready for the taking. If anything, I might add a few to the tank as display shells if they are inert and my japanese trapdoors can graze on them. I was going to boil them before using the shells regardless.

 

[skillzizzo]

bump

 

[RODinCALIFORNIA]

yes it helps the shells it makes your water harder. i rinse them well before using. soft water is bad for snails. its a accepted use for snail tank snails need calcium to keep the shells from getting holes in them.

 

[Racersk]

yes it helps the shells it makes your water harder. i rinse them well before using. soft water is bad for snails. its a accepted use for snail tank snails need calcium to keep the shells from getting holes in them.

My water is pretty soft(western Washington), so adding shells for my Japanese Trapdoors is a good idea then...

Have you any experience with other types of shells?

 

[epond83]

I don't think the surface to volume ratio is high enough compaired to other materials to make it good for bio.

But yes to help buffer the water it would be great for snails and any fish that like hard water.

 

[RODinCALIFORNIA]

i have only used crushed oyster shells i just rinse well put it in a media bag and put it in my sump. alot of people also use cuttle bones in snail tanks to make the water harder but to me oyster shells is much easier and its very cheap.