How to Add Collected Shells to a Tank

Shells collected at the beach should never just be tossed into the aquarium. While hand-collected seashells add instant beauty and naturalism to an aquarium, they can often host bacteria, algae or parasites that may be harmful to your tank's inhabitants. Luckily, the cleaning and preparation process for adding these shells is quick and easy, allowing you to place your new tank decorations in no time.

Things You'll Need

  • Scrub brush or old toothbrush
  • Bucket
  • 1 cup bleach
  • Aquarium dechlorinator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Rinse the shells in cool running water to remove any loose sand and dirt particles. Gently scrub the shells with a small scrub brush or an old toothbrush, being careful to get all of the cracks and crevices. Try to remove caked-on sand, algae and dirt.

    • 2

      Fill a bucket ¾ full with warm, clean tap water. Add a cup of household bleach to the warm water, and stir carefully to distribute the bleach throughout the water.

    • 3

      Soak the shells for 10 to 20 minutes in a bleach solution. This will kill any remaining bacteria and parasites.

    • 4

      Dump the bleach water down the sink. Rinse both the bucket and the shells in clean water.

    • 5

      Refill the bucket with clean tap water. Add a double dose of aquarium water dechlorinator based on the dosage instructions on the back of the bottle. Soak the shells overnight in the dechlorinating solution.

    • 6

      Remove the shells from the water, and take a good sniff of one up close. If there is any hint of bleach odor remaining, dump and refill the bucket with more dechlorinated tap water. Soak the shells for one more day. If there is absolutely no bleach aroma left, the shells are all set to go into the aquarium.