Cheap Shell find at Michaels

[HermitCrabRookie]

Hello everyone after a recent shell jacking from my biggest hermie I went out to find more shells that would fit. I came across this deal at Michaels out the door for $12.71. Its a 5lb. bag and was like playing the lotto cause you could'nt see much with in the bag.









9 Black and White Magpies, and 1 ? Murex ? These 10 shells should work out there are a few magpies about the size godzilla and hermie preffer.


And some giant conch type shells that would fit some huge crabs that I would be scared to own one that big lol.


So 10 usable shells for 12.71 not bad I think. Not much use for the rest of the lot though.

Question how can I polish the magpies? I was thinking dremel with buffer type attachment?

[soilentgringa]

The white and pink shells are murex as well. Crabs will wear them.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[meg_and_the_zoo]

I got that same bag a couple of weeks ago and also got quite a few good shells for the price

I've seen a few posts about pulverizing unwearable shells to make a calcium powder to sprinkle on their food. Suggestions have been to clean then first (salt water boil) and then crush.


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 4 crabs (Balla, Spot, Twitch & Big Shug)

[soilentgringa]

You've got 16 crab wearable shells judging from the photo. The virgin murex (pink/white), the magpie, and the black murex (black/white) are all wearable. Larger crabs will wear the black murex but they are on the heavy side.


Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[HermitCrabRookie]

Nice, the murex shells are really big though way to big for any hermie I have. The openings range from 1 1/2" - 1 7/8". I would like to grind/ sand/ polish the magpies to drop some weight and make look nicer but not sure how or where to start

[soilentgringa]

If you have a dremel and the correct attachments it can be done just be sure to wear a mask and do it in a well ventilated area that you aren't worried about getting dust all over. The shells are very strong and I think Kornchaser's SO did some for her and it was challenging. Also if you strip too much of the outer layers off, this happens:


The shell wall becomes so thin that it will crumble or break easily.


Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[Allyb01]

Is there any stores that sell natural shells besides looking online? Stores where you have more of a choice of what size you can get.


Proud owner of 6 PPs,Twinkie, Tweedles, Tiny, Nugget, Squidgy, and Bumbie!

[soilentgringa]

Is there any stores that sell natural shells besides looking online? Stores where you have more of a choice of what size you can get.


Proud owner of 6 PPs,Twinkie, Tweedles, Tiny, Nugget, Squidgy, and Bumbie!

Not really unless you live by a touristy type souvenier shop on the beach. Online is going to be your best bet if you want to pick out specific opening sizes and types.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[Allyb01]

Ok thank you.


Proud owner of 6 PPs,Twinkie, Tweedles, Tiny, Nugget, Squidgy, and Bumbie!

[meg_and_the_zoo]

But a $20-$30 investment at your local craft stores should net a decent amount of useable shells, assuming your crabs aren't really big. Online has a better selection but seem more expensive.


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 4 crabs (Balla, Spot, Twitch & Big Shug)

[soilentgringa]

But a $20-$30 investment at your local craft stores should net a decent amount of useable shells, assuming your crabs aren't really big. Online has a better selection but seem more expensive.


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 4 crabs (Balla, Spot, Twitch & Big Shug)

It honestly depends on the size. Most of my crabs are between 1-2" openings. Naples often has smaller sized shells for .50 or under a shell depending on type. Hermit Crab Patch had a lot of good sizes for under $1.00 a shell when I purchased back in Feb. I get my larger sizes from Mygann because I can get 3 shells for $21 shipped that would cost $12-15 a shell easily at Naples. So it really is the luck of the draw with the mixed bags because you can't pick the sizes.

Sent from my LG-D850 using Tapatalk

[meg_and_the_zoo]

Very true. Right now I'm having good luck with the crap shoot shopping but I can see how that won't last for long


Zoo mom of 3 cats, a dog, a fish and 4 crabs (Balla, Spot, Twitch & Big Shug)

[judywapner]

I just got the same bag from Michaels in Canada for $19.99. A lot of clam shells (?) and some big shells that were sawn in half (maybe because they are sold as craft shells they want them to lie flat?) but also about the same number of wearable shells that you got! There were only two bags at my Michaels and i was actually able to open them to see which had the most shells i could use

Question: should I boil/do something to the shells before I put them in my tank? They seem like they have a slight powdery substance on them...Im worried its some kind of pesticide to kill bugs.

[Maliblue]

A tip for getting cheap shells at Michaels: always check online to see if they have a 40-50% off one item coupon. They almost always do, and they even send me the coupons through email. Very handy especially if you're just buying one big bag of shells. I never pay full price at Michaels!

[wodesorel]

Question: should I boil/do something to the shells before I put them in my tank? They seem like they have a slight powdery substance on them...Im worried its some kind of pesticide to kill bugs.

The powder is just calcium, which comes off the shells when they're all piled together. But yes - you should always boil new shells no matter where they came from. Bring it up to a roiling boil and then let them cool off. Some people add a pinch of marine salt, but that can backfire and ruin the polish depending on the composition of your water.