freshwater shells, do they raise PH?

J@ke

Small Fish
Feb 10, 2007
17
0
0
KY
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#1
I am aware that seashells can change the ph levels in your tank. However, I like very near to a river and have collected freshwater shells from the river. I have a freshwater tank and I am wondering if those could be used in the tank. ( as a side note I do know how to get wild collected items cleaned for use in my tank )
 

Pure

Elite Fish
Nov 1, 2005
3,216
7
0
Jacksonville, FL
#2
If you are trying to raise the PH/KH of a tank the use of crushed seashells is a common practice. It takes a good amount of shells to accomplish this.

Freshwater shells are pretty much made of the same minerals seashells are made of so if you had enough of them crushed up then yes it would raise the KH and as a side effect raise the PH. However I would assume that just a couple tossed in for decoration shouldn't have much of an effect and should be safe once cleaned properly.