Shells

I just got a bag of shells, and I want/need to know if I can put them in my aquarium, to reduce my crab fatality rate (they kill each other for shells), but I need to know if they are safe to put in. How can I tell if they are died? Can I put died shells in? Should I boil them to remove possible organics? I have no idea what to do.

 

Welcome to 3reef?

Where did you get the shells?

If they have a shiny coating and you got them at a hobby store I would be reluctant to use them.

If you found them on the beach I would first boil them and then use them.

Welcome to 3reef.

 

Would a picture help? Some of them I am pretty sure are dyed but others look natural.

 

Sure

 

This looks fake until...



(The inside looks real)









And, this is a group shot of the ones I think are fake.

 

They all very nice and real. I would give them a quick boil to be on the safe side, if you seen an sheen on the surface of the water after boiling they some may have been oiled.

 

Even the ones I think are fake?

 

I used to collect shells none of those are fake. Many times the shell is just shiny.

Some hobby stores use a finish like varnish on sea shells, the ones you have look fine.

 

Ok, great