Oyster shell ?

[engine312]

Could I used crushed oyster shell in my tank to help buffer my water? I have got bitten by the African bug, and I am converting my 70 gallon from a CA tank to an African tank. I have some Borleyi and Testagramas to put in there. I have a natural colored substrate. I would like to try and mix the oyster shell in with my substrate to help buffer my water. With money being tight and I am on my wifes s**t list :runnningaround: I was hoping to save a little money. I have plenty of oyster, because we feed that to are chickens. The PH out of my tap is 7.0.
So I am looking for some advice.

:ty:

[joe_jaskot]

I use whole oyster shells in my fish tanks. I am sure you can use crushed oyster shells as long as they are washed well.

[triscuit]

You can use oyster shell safely, but I doubt you'll see much more than a very short term small bump in your buffering or pH. If you are looking for cheap- go with baking soda and Epsom salts. I buffer 7 large tanks with weekly water changes for less than $2 a month of soda and salt.

And- if your spouse asks what they're for, you can proudly say they have many common uses including cleaning, odor control, foot baths, laxative. :becky:

[Heyguy74]

Use crushed coral in your filters. The coral is very cheap and it will also provide good places for the nitrifying bacteria.

[Flareside]

Lee, we will catch up sometime after this weekend. I will give you plenty of crushed coral/dolomite. Im contemplating tearing down my 125 anyway and converting it to sand. Its my only tank that doesnt contain sand

Why do chickens eat oysters? You dont supply KFC with your chickens do you?

[engine312]

Lee, we will catch up sometime after this weekend. I will give you plenty of crushed coral/dolomite. Im contemplating tearing down my 125 anyway and converting it to sand. Its my only tank that doesnt contain sand

Why do chickens eat oysters? You dont supply KFC with your chickens do you?

They eat the oyster shells for the calcium. It makes there shells hard.
No I dont supply KFC. :neener:

[Flareside]

I thought the gritty food wore their beaks down so they looked like those reported "beakless mutant chickens" that KFC used LOL