Hermit Crab Shells

[Hoolio521]

Hello
i just bought 10 hermit crabs and got 3 empty shells (though they are pretty small). should i put in some more empty ones? I have a lot of shells that i have found in the bahamas. Is it okay to put these in the tank? i am worried about bacteria and chemicals but is there a way to treat it or let it sit for a while so that it is safe?

Thanks

 

[georgelc86]

Its a good idea to place empty shells that are larger than the hermit crab shells so that they can move into a new home as they grow. If you have hermits and snails in your tank, placing larger empty shells will pretty much prevent your hermits from killing the snails for their shells. I will let others touch on the shells you have.

 

[Hoolio521]

bump

 

[asianer]

I would definitely recommend getting larger shells for the tank; as the hermit crabs molt and get bigger they will need larger shells to protect them.

 

[Hoolio521]

My main question now is whether i can put the shells i found in the bahamas into my tank? will this introduce new harmful bacteria? if i let them sit in water for a while and then put them in the tank would this fix that?