Can i put dead coral in my freshwater tank?

Question
QUESTION: can i put dead coral in my freshwater tank? i just started this tank and have a few neon tetras in. a friend gave me some coral he has had sitting around for some time now. is it ok to add it in my tank for decorations?

ANSWER: Hi Patrick!

Well by "dead" do you mean dead and dry decorative coral you find in the LFS sitting on a shelf? Or do you mean, dead and still a little damp cause it used to be a live coral a few days ago?

If it's the dead and dry decorative coral then certainly add it without worry (as long as it's clean) and eventually coraline and other bits will grow on it just as if you were to add any other base rock.

If its the dead wet coral (recently dead like for a week or so) then there might be some room for caution only because the decaying coral will raise the ammonia in your tank slightly (depending on the size of the coral and the amount of denitrifying bacteria in your tank).

Hope this helps! :D
~Sam

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Its been out and sitting for more than 6 months, I was told that it might raise concern in the water like with nitrate or calcium something.

Answer
Well that is possible. But since its been sitting around for six months then it should be OK. Just put it in for a 1-3 days and see if the pH levels rise. But you need to be careful. Dead coral can release toxins into the water when decaying and we all know that things decay faster when wet or in water.

If you think putting it in the tank is far too risky, then put it in a container with water and see if the pH levels rise in the container. If there are no changes, then it should be alright.
Hope this Helps! xD
~Sam