HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Hey guys, in the past I have always rinsed out new crab shells with dechlorinated water. I bought 2 big packs of shells from Michael's and there were alot of crab shells but I realized that there were only a couple of turbo shells which is the best suiting shell for most PP's. I just ordered 15-20 appropriately sized turbo shells from the seashell supply last Friday to go along with the other decent shells I have. I ordered these from the seashell supply and was wondering how I should clean these shells when they arrive? Is rinsing them out with dechlor water sufficient or do I need to do something else?

Hi Crabdaddy, i boil mine for 10 mins in dechlor water. Then i let cool. Once i can pick them up i shake out trapped water and place in tat. Future cleanings I will just rinse in MSW . I only do the 1st boil to kill unseen parasites.

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To each's own, but I boil in dechlorinated fresh water, and then dip in marine salt water. I like boiling them bc I feel it gets everything out.


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Please boil them, at least upon first receiving the shells. I recommend 10 minutes. Personally, I don't like to take the chance that parasites, fungus, or other organisms/diseases can transfer from whatever is stored in the shell (that you can't see) or last lived in the shell to my crabs. There's a slew of diseases/organisms out there that prey on crabs, and crabs in captivity can be more susceptible due to being stressed.

Thanks!!

Not only that but its a closed environment, meaning that diseases can have a far more damaging effect since they have to live in a small area.

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CrabDaddy722 wrote:Hey guys, in the past I have always rinsed out new crab shells with dechlorinated water. I bought 2 big packs of shells from Michael's and there were alot of crab shells but I realized that there were only a couple of turbo shells which is the best suiting shell for most PP's. I just ordered 15-20 appropriately sized turbo shells from the seashell supply last Friday to go along with the other decent shells I have. I ordered these from the seashell supply and was wondering how I should clean these shells when they arrive? Is rinsing them out with dechlor water sufficient or do I need to do something else?

So this is probably...sort of shady but my friend and I open the bags of shells at Michaels and replace as many as we can in one bag with the wearable shells. This leaves the same amount of shells in both bags, but we end up with a good amount of usable items. .


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soilentgringa wrote: So this is probably...sort of shady but my friend and I open the bags of shells at Michaels and replace as many as we can in one bag with the wearable shells. This leaves the same amount of shells in both bags, but we end up with a good amount of usable items. .


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OMG! Sounds like something I would do...

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soilentgringa wrote: So this is probably...sort of shady but my friend and I open the bags of shells at Michaels and replace as many as we can in one bag with the wearable shells. This leaves the same amount of shells in both bags, but we end up with a good amount of usable items. .

That is hilarious!!!

Omg soilentgringa... that is pure gold and tops the extreme crabber chart ....

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soilentgringa wrote: So this is probably...sort of shady but my friend and I open the bags of shells at Michaels and replace as many as we can in one bag with the wearable shells. This leaves the same amount of shells in both bags, but we end up with a good amount of usable items.

My non-crabbing husband has talked me into doing this a couple of times. I think he just likes to live vicariously.

Hey Everyone,
I have a question about shells that I hope someone can let me know if I'm thinking correctly. I have a friend whos mother collects shells from a beach in Florida, Senibel, I think its called. Anyway her mom sent me a ton of shells that shes had for a while and I was suprised to see how nice and clean they are. (The shells I have collected and have used in my tank are from NC outerbanks, where we vacation.)
I ask my girlfriend how she got them so clean and pretty cause she said her mom did collect them NOT buy them, she told me she BLEACHED them!!!! I FRECKED, sorry but I did!
SOOOO...do I soak them in salt water (for a week??) or do I just not try to use them at all??
They are perfect for the hermies, just the right size for now and some larger ones for later. I am so disappointed to find out they were bleached. Her mom makes some pretty cool crafts with them..that explains the bleach. So is there anyway to make them suitable for the crabs??
If anyone knows I could sure use some advice. Also the ones I collected I boiled in distilled water for 20 minutes, cooled, air dried and the hermies took them right away.

Bleach evaporates pretty quickly. Heck, most of the shells we buy have likely been sanitized the same way so they won't smell. If it's been a while, I personally would just boil and use.

Thanks for the advice. I just don't want to poison my hermies and when my friend said the shells were bleached, I wasn't sure if boiling them would be good enough to make them safe to use. They are amazing looking shells and I am so lucky to have them. I'll boil them and pray that it's all they need.