Can i use this shell?

[Khij159753]

My dad ha a shell he bought at one of the shops from the Oregon coast... I think it's fake. Can I use it? Stick it in my aquarium for one of my giant hermits to use?

 

[ktomminello]

I wouldn't, it's a personal thing though...

 

[Khij159753]

Any reason why not? I'm thinking about soaking it in white vinegar for a day an if its not chipping or something ill rinse it really good and put it in. I just don't know where I can get a shell big enough for this hermit to grow into

 

[ktomminello]

There's so many possibilities of bad things happening, there's potential for silicates, chemical interactions and also the ability of a hermit to be comfortable in a synthetic shell of unknown origin.... I'm a tank nazi though

 

[ktomminello]

Oh- you can always go to the beach, I believe most pet stores that carry hermits carry shells, I know that they can be ordered easily online for cheap too.

 

[Khij159753]

Hmmm.... I just don't don't know if they'll be big enough. Right now he's in a medium sized spider conch shell...

 

[ktomminello]

you could always search the vendor directory and see if any of them have anything

 

[Khij159753]

Okay. Thanks

 

[Beengirl]

Are you sure it's fake? Is it plastic or something? I would decide if its fake or not for sure. If its not, just boil it for 5 min, let it cool and toss it in.

 

[Khij159753]

I'm not sure. The only thing I'm going on to tell me it's fake is how it is a little lighter. It's not plastic I know that.

 

[baron1282]

This is a dumb question. I have 6 hermits. Do I need to buy them bigger shells every now and than?

 

[TheTodd]

A lot of places will sell empty shells in various sizes and they are usually really inexpensive (7 cents at reefcleaners for example) Hermits should always have larger shells as options to move in to.

 

[baron1282]

Thanks, I will get them some shells soon.

 

[Beengirl]

I'm not sure. The only thing I'm going on to tell me it's fake is how it is a little lighter. It's not plastic I know that.

Try scratching it with a something it and see if its real.

 

[Khij159753]

Okay. These hermits are huge that's why I'm having problems finding shells they're very big hermits haha