shells in tank

Question
i have a beta and i recently brought shells from florida (purchased, not found) and i was wondering if i could put them in the beta tank... i washed them with hot soapy water and am currently soaking them in a water bath with the beta water conditioner (i was planning on doing this for a week and then put them in the fresh-water tank)... is this okay?

Answer
Hi,
I hate to break it to you after all the work you've put into the them. But shells aren't really the best thing for aquariums. They leech calcium and other minerals into the water, making it really hard and alkaline, which many fish won't tolerate very well, especially bettas. If the shells are the spiral kind, many bettas are at risk of becoming stuck inside the shell also.

It may be better to use the shells as decoration around your betta tank but not -inside- it.

I'm Sorry, I know that's not what you wanted to hear..

Best wishes and happy fishkeeping!
Karen~