Is cleaning decorations with baking soda safe?

[La Barbe]

I was told that I could clean shells and rocks that I find with baking soda and they would be safe for my aquarium. I've had them sitting in a container of water and baking soda for a few weeks, and today I took them out and started rinsing them off.

Will these be safe for my tank?

Should I keep rinsing until they have no white residue when dry?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Star_Rider]

depends.. baking soda adds carbonate hardness to the water. if it's rinsed well you should be fine.
sea shells??
these will slowly do the same.

 

[La Barbe]

Yeah, seashells. I have one in my tank already because the people who had it before me did. My convict likes to hide under it, so I figured it might like more. Is that dumb?

 

[Star_Rider]

the cons will prob be fine

 

[phi_betta_kappa]

I always use either baking soda and/or vinegar to clean stuff for my tanks. Just rinse well! Never had any bad experiences doing this. If you have had it soaking for a while you might want to soak for a bit in plain (dechlorinated if needed) water. Definitely try to get the residue off.
I don't think seashells are dumb- just soak them well- no idea what they clean those with for retail sale. That would be my only real concern.
The carbonate hardness added by dissolving shells probably won't impact the water chemistry much in the short term- probably not in the long term either if you keep up w/ water changes.

 

[colinsk]

I add oyster shells to add an emergency buffer to the tank. If my pH crashes they will start to disolve and replentish the carbonate buffer.

 

[snoopy65]

I have a freshwater clam shell (whole) in my tank that my Bolivian Rams spawn in, so no shells are not dumb. And you are my 2000 post! WOOOOO HOOOOO!

 

[vampie]

I use shells are caves, so count me in as another shell-supporter. And baking soda is safe to use.