Crushed Shell for Substrate?

[JaxPuffer]

I currently use the Caribsea oolite(? spelling) live sand for my substrate and it works out ok but, it does blow around a little. I was at the beach today and there is spots where the shells have gotten smashed so much that they are just bigger than sand and even feel soft to the touch. Obviously they would have to be cleaned thoroughly and rinsed very well, but it seems that they would make a good addition to the substrate for the buffering power and with the wonderful price of FREE it got me thinking. The shells even have a nice pinkish red tint to them. Anyone have any experience with this or any advise?

Thanks in advance.

[Pufferpunk]

I think you'd have to boil it.

[bastallard]

Sanitize with a bleach and water mixture soak, and then rinse with tap water till there is no detectable bleach smell, and then add a dechlorinator and tap water.

[Pufferpunk]

Better to use Oxyclean for that. Bleach can be absorbed into the substrate.

[Mek0ng]

I would suggest against it, beyond the risk of contamination. For the reason that large substrate is going to trap more waste.

[Pufferpunk]

Are you having problems with buffering your water?

[JaxPuffer]

Are you having problems with buffering your water?

Not really I just liked the looks of it. Some of it is very small sized (not much bigger than sand) and with the redish pink tint I thought it would look nice in the tank. The added buffering would have just been a bonus.