Shell Care

This is where you discuss shells for your hermit crabs. Not for selling/swapping shells, use Classified Ads for that.
Post Reply

Topic author
Scarletfire
Posts: 317
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2019 10:44 am
Location: ON

Shell Care

Post by Scarletfire » Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:26 pm

How long after you polish the shells with olive oil can you put them into the tank?

Do you soak them in salt water before polishing them?

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk



Topic author
Scarletfire
Posts: 317
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2019 10:44 am
Location: ON

Re: Shell Care

Post by Scarletfire » Sun Apr 12, 2020 12:34 pm

Also, do you olive oil the inside of the shell, or just outside?

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk


User avatar

Xenocrab
Posts: 685
Joined: Fri Aug 11, 2017 5:04 pm
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Contact:

Re: Shell Care

Post by Xenocrab » Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:02 pm

I don't use oils of any kind. I just soak them in salt water and wash them that way. The crabs are attracted to them almost instantly!

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

6 babies, 4 Es and 15 PPs.

User avatar

JoeHermits
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2019
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:26 pm
Contact:

Re: Shell Care

Post by JoeHermits » Sun Apr 12, 2020 1:39 pm

I’ve prepared fresh snail shells but I’ve never gone as far as polishing.

I’ve heard of polishing them to make them shine but I’m not familiar with the process.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

User avatar

Motörcrab
Posts: 2378
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:56 pm
Location: Coal Region in Pennsylvania
Contact:

Re: Shell Care

Post by Motörcrab » Sun Apr 12, 2020 2:02 pm

I'm in the same boat as Joe with polishing the shells. Would you be able to share a link or say where you have found out about this technique?

I have heard of this technique for sprucing up faded from being in sand or bleached from boiling in saltwater for too long. Xeno and I never tried it. I am assuming if you used extra virgin olive oil and nothing else the shells would be safe to put in right away. Extra virgin olive is on the safe food list.
Coenobita Curiosities offering crabby decor
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoenobitaCuriosities


Topic author
Scarletfire
Posts: 317
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2019 10:44 am
Location: ON

Re: Shell Care

Post by Scarletfire » Sun Apr 12, 2020 4:10 pm

This is where I saw it before:

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic? ... source=app


Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk


User avatar

JoeHermits
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 2019
Joined: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:26 pm
Contact:

Re: Shell Care

Post by JoeHermits » Mon Apr 13, 2020 7:41 am

I would think that the saltwater soak would come after polishing. Also I wouldn’t get the oil inside the shell if I can help it since that sounds messy, but that’s just me.

As I said before I’m not really familiar with the process.

[mention]aussieJJDude [/mention] Any insights?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

User avatar

aussieJJDude
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 4998
Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2012 8:12 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Contact:

Re: Shell Care

Post by aussieJJDude » Tue Apr 21, 2020 12:37 am

I've done it on the past. Its messy, but it does work in a pinch. Just use some olive oil on the outside (i like to 'wet' sime paper towel and then rub it on the outside... little goes a long way!). It can be added to the tank immediately after 'polishing'.

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

|| Avid Aquarist Addict (2007) || Crazy Crabbing Connoisseur (2012) || Amateur Aroid Admirer (2014) ||

"She’s there, she’s upright, and she’s wigged" ~ Trixie
Infrequently on due to studies

User avatar

asiankanye
Posts: 226
Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2020 6:00 pm
Location: North Carolina

Re: Shell Care

Post by asiankanye » Mon Apr 27, 2020 10:32 pm

Is it required to dip them in salt water after boiling?

User avatar

Motörcrab
Posts: 2378
Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2017 9:56 pm
Location: Coal Region in Pennsylvania
Contact:

Re: Shell Care

Post by Motörcrab » Mon Apr 27, 2020 11:00 pm

We usually boil our shells in salt water before we introduce them to the tank for the first time. Every few weeks we will just rinse the shells out in saltwater. Crabs do seem to be more attracted to shells soaked in saltwater more than fresh water. It wouldn't hurt. I never thought of it before, but it would be interesting to do half the shells each way to see if there is a real preference!
Coenobita Curiosities offering crabby decor
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoenobitaCuriosities

Post Reply