I probably shouldn't, should I?

[marinenewbie]

My brother-in-law just returned from a trip to Costa Rica, and he brought me back several small pieces of coral that he had picked off the beach. He thought I could add them to my tank, and was quite pleased with the little trophies he had collected.

I don't know how long they had been out of water, and now I've got them soaking in a small bucket of salt water. Do you think they are ok to toss into the tank??

 

[scrmbld33]

are they def live coral or skeletons? do you have a pic?

 

[marinenewbie]

I probably shouldn't, should I?

No, I think they are just skeletons. There doesn't appear to be anything on them, but I was concerned about whether or not there might be anything 'in' them.

Here is a photo...

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[piranhaking]

I am not saying it is the right thing to do, but i did with some coral skeletons i got in hawaii. I dried mine out first for a long time though, just incase. I havent had any problems, but there is a chance that there would be contaminants in them from any runoff near the beach, ect. I dont think it would be a problem, but i would deffinatily dry them out first.

 

[scrmbld33]

ive heard of people boiling them or bleaching them in the sun , but id wait for a second opinion cause im not 100%, if you add them now there maybe some die off and cause amonia spike or get a hitchiekr you dont want, they look cool though

 

[techigirl78]

I'd go with boiling them. Should look nice once added.

 

[marinenewbie]

Ok, so boil them for a bit, and let them dry over a couple of days first, you think? That should do the trick??

He'd be pleased to see them added to the tank

 

[adtravels]

i live in thailand and have picked up a few bits of dead coral from the beach and put them in my tank.
It is better than them becoming jewellery and now they are repopulated with coraline algae, so if I leave or go diving i will take them back repopulated no harm done i never take any live stuff.
also i just put them in no boiling or washing and they have been great they get populated really fast

 

[techigirl78]

Sounds good. Maybe keep them in a QT tank for awhile just to see with a couple snails.

 

[marinenewbie]

Haven't got a QT tank...

 

[techigirl78]

Do you have a heater, 5 gallon bucket, and extra PH? If yes, you could use that as a QT tank. The snails won't cause a cycle.

 

[marinenewbie]

Sure, I could put that together I think. I've got a spare heater kicking around here somewhere. For how long would you suggest keeping it in the QT?

 

[techigirl78]

I'd give it two weeks or so, just to see. Maybe someone else has some input.

 

[marinenewbie]

Ok, thanks!

 

[pro99line]

Hey my wife is from Cuba so when we go there I always bring back little goodies from the beach. I just let them sit in a some bleach water and then put them in water with de-chlorinator and then let them drie out in the sun. I have been doing this for over a year and have never had any problems putting these items in my tank.

 

[SerLunchbox]

i have to agree ... dry that out really well first and then wait some more before you add it to your tank.

Though i really think that it will look awesome!