gH and snails shells

Question
I would like to know if introducing snails in the aquarium will contribute to rise the water harndness?

Answer
Hi Jovino, live snails are a good addition to your aquarium, they clean up lots of debri other bottom dwellers don't touch as much. Snails make an aquarium even more of an "mini-ecosystem" with their important role in cleaning up aquarium debri such as decaying plant leaves. Their empty shells, however CAN pose a problem to contribute to a higher pH and hardness. But this is only if the unfortunate creature lost his life and his empty shell sits about in the aquarium. I would suspect large snail shells to actually make a noticeable differance in the pH and hardness of the water but I have found the smaller types of empty snail shells to make little or no difference. Either way they shouldn't be a big problem in your aquarium because most fish can adapt and thrive in a less than ideal water chemistry. But if you have senstive or delicate species, it's best to remove any empty shells laying about in your aquarium.

I really hope this helps and Best wishes to you!
If you have anymore questions, feel free to email me...

Happy fishkeeping!
karen~