CRUSHED OYSTER SHELLS

SETTING UP A 100 GAL TANK. SOMEONE SUGGESTED USING CRUSHED OYSTER SHELLS AS A SUBSTRATE. LOOKING FOR PROS AND CONS ON THIS.
THANK YOU...

Looks super ken uses it on his 90g tank

What are you planning on keeping in the tank if you don't mind me asking?

The crushed shells will raise the pH and can have some sharp edges for certain species.

it also traps detritus and can lead to nitrate issues down the road.

it does in deed trap a lot of uneaten food and waste. so keep in mind a good gravel vac would be necessary

my buddy used the crushed oyster shells for many many years without any issues. it all comes down to proper aquarium maintenance..... vacuuming, water changes, etc..
i will take a picture of his tanks when i go to new orleans this week..

I PLAN ON A FRESH WATER PLANTED TANK. I PLAN ON PLENTY OF PLANTS. THINKING OF A COMMUNITY TANK. ALWAYS LIKED ANGLE FISH. SO I WILL PROBABLY GO WITH FISH THAT GET ALONG WITH ANGLES. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH EXCELLENT WELL WATER. HAVEN'T HAD IT TESTED YET TO SEE ACTUALLY HOW GOOD OR BAD FOR RAISING FISH AND WHAT WILL BE NEEDED TO DO TO GET IT FISH FRIENDLY. I DON'T SEE WHERE IT WOULD TRAP ALOT OF FOOD AND WASTE, AS IT LOOKS LIKE IT COMPACTS MORE THAN GRAVEL? WOULD THE SHARP EDGES AFFECT ALGAE EATERS FROM CLEANING UP?

No way for angels and plants it will raise the ph to high. Bottom fish such as algae eaters, corys, plecos are not good for this subtrate

CajunGator wrote:

my buddy used the crushed oyster shells for many many years without any issues. it all comes down to proper aquarium maintenance..... vacuuming, water changes, etc..
i will take a picture of his tanks when i go to new orleans this week..

Thanks, ask him about ph issues and compatibility with angle fish. And i don't know about the type of crushed shells other people get, but ours here in Wisconsin are pretty small and not all that sharp.
1/8" and smaller

For bottom feeders you need round gravel or sand. All coral no matter what size will raise your PH. Angels are from the amazon with extremely low PH levels (6 or below) if your PH is above 7.2 angels can survive but not to their full potential and usually will not breed.

THANKS FOR THE INFO. WELL GUESS I'LL THROW ALL OF IT IN MY FLOWER BED AND STOP LISTENING TO LOCAL IDIOTS. WISH I WOULD HAVE FOUND THIS SITE EARLIER. GUESS MY CHEAPNESS WILL COST ME. I'LL FIND SOME BLACK SAND OR GRAVEL. HOW MANY LBS. FOR A 100 GAL? SHOULD I GET PLANT ADDITIVE (LATIRATE I THINK IT'S CALLED) FOR MY LIVE PLANTS THAT I WANT?