Lake Erie shells

[Jshakour]

I was wondering if I could use (cleaned) shells from Lake Erie in my tanks? By cleaned I mean boiled.

I was thinking mixing them in with some sand.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eckybay/5769692974/

[deeda]

I don't see any problem with using them. It really shouldn't be any different than shells purchased for shell dwellers or from Florida, except that they are free. You could always soak them in a 10% bleach/90% water mixture first, then a rapid boil for 5 minutes. Cool them down and add a bit of dechlor to the water to get rid of any bleach residue.