Shells

[trebor126]

Hi everyone,
I have read if you have hermit crabs in the tank, one should add extra shells, to help keep the crabs from killing snails.
I thought I would save some money and purchased a bag of shells at hobby lobby for $1.99.
The questions is, when I got home and started to rinse off the shells, they had a slight "shine" to them. Do you think the shells were coated with some type of clear coat and would be unsafe to add to the tank?
Please give me your opinions <img src="graemlins//confused.gif" border="0" alt="[confused]" />
Thank you

 

[galina]

Alot of shells bought at craft or hobby stores are not meant to be used in the aquarium and are sometimes coated with a substance to make them more attractive. I don't know if this could harm your fish or not.. but 1.99.. I probably wouldn't risk it.

 

[rockster]

They are probably coated with shellac. Try soaking them shells and see if it comes off. If not, I think it will not affect your inhabitants because once dry, shellac is pretty inert. I think your hermits will need sunglasses for these glossy homes.

 

[trebor126]

Thanks for the advice. The shells are not as shiney as some of the other bags of shells that the store offered. This is why I bought them. I have had them soaking in some salt water for a few days now. I will see if the shine goes away....
Thanks again for the input..