Sealing the interior with polyurethane may help, especially if the ambient humidity is low. Also, there are small dehumidifiers made for instalation inside pianos that might help. The problem w/ oak is acid vapors from the wood itself. As I understand it, Beynesian decay is a different problem. - John >From: Peter Egerton <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: Conchologists List <[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: dessicants >Date: Sat, 10 Feb 2007 06:23:04 -0800 > >Hi all experts, > >I am determined to store/display my collection of Beringius and >Neptunea in my old English bookcase which is OAK. >I know oak is bad for shells and am wondering if anyone has used a >desiccant in with shells to prevent Bynesian >decay. The air in my place is not very humid to begin with, which is >one good thing, but I do notice that certain odor, >you know the one that old oak cabinets always have (that aged wood >cabinet smell), when I open the cabinet doors. >I open and close the doors rapidly for a bit whenever I think of it >in order to change the air inside but would really like >to have a permanent solution (one that doesn't hurt the >cabinet)...and some sort of desiccant or odor-eater comes to >mind. Any suggestions or anyone know of a product I can use or they have >used? > >Regards, >Peter >(ps.for a look at the display I am talking about see: >http://www.petersseashells.ca/galleryintropage.html) > >-- >Peter Egerton, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada >- - - - - - - Seashell Collector and Website Designer - - - - - - - - - - >Website "Peter's Seashells" (including "Seashells of British Columbia"): >http://www.petersseashells.ca >Email: [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs To leave this list, click on the following web link: http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1 Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and click leave the list. ----------------------------------------------------------------------