Shells and such

[beyondreef]

I was just wondering how many extra shells you should have for hermits and snails. And just for fun-how are shells originally formed and what are they made of?

[mwrager]

For My hermits I put a 2 to 1 in, so for every 1 hermit I out in 2 extra shells of different sizes. As for how the shells are made, thats a good ? I have never thought about it, I would assume from calcium

[sincityreefer]

[NaH2O]

Here is a quote taken from This page

Mollusks make their shells from calcium they derive from their environment, either the food they eat or the water they dwell in. When a tiny mollusk hatches from its egg, it comes into the world equipped with a tiny shell. This shell is actually a part of the animal, growing as it grows, accommodating its needs. Each different species of mollusk makes a shell that is, in most cases, unique to it alone. Indeed, this uniqueness of form is partly what allows amateur shell collectors (conchologists) and professional scientists who study mollusks (malacologists) to determine a mollusk's species. Each species is destined genetically to develop the same type of shell its progenitors did. But, just as with humans, there are many distinct differences. Food, climate, environment, accident, and the mollusk's particular heredity all play their parts in making each shell an individual.

[wooddood]

thanks nikki great info i did'nt know.