Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm new to cresteds and I tried the CGD and followed the directions for mixing and it came out a liquid and never turned thicker like it said it would on the bottle. How do you guys mix this stuff and what do you put it on? Do you mix in Calcium? Do you D3 or no D3. I'd like to avoid crickets if possible. thanks guys!
-----
2.2.4 Tangerine Carrot Tail Baldy Leos
1.0 Butter Corn
0.1 Striped Amel Corn

Just follow the directions, it will thicken up with a little time. It is marketed as a complete meal so adding cal or d3 is not need and will just throw the balance off possibly causing the mix to be toxic with too much vits.

I noticed that it doesn't always mix exactly according to the package. I have been mixing mine in a ratio of about 1 part mix to 1.5 water. What I do is put equal parts water and CGD powder in a bowl, mix it up and then continue to add more water and stir until it is the consistency that I like. It isn't going to be perfect every time in the 1:2 ratio.

It is perfectly fine to have it a bit watery, the geckos lap it up happily anyway. Also, the extra water never hurts, helps keep them nice and hydrated.

For a couple crested geckos (babies up to about half a year) I just mix up a quarter teaspoon of powder to half a teaspoon of water. For adults I use about the same amount per adult and adjust depending on how much is left over (if the bowl is as clean in the cage as it was before I put food in, I add a bit more so there are some traces left).
-----
PHLdyPayne

Is this the CGD you guys are all talking about, or should I assume you guys are referring to the stuff in those packages? I've never seen the packages at any stores.

http://www.petmountain.com/product/lizards/509491/t-rex-crested-gecko-meal-replacement-1.75-oz.html

Yes, that is the stuff.

T-Rex now has a two part version, a base (with all the nutrients etc they need) and a fruity additive to give better flavor. You can buy the all in one version, or the two part version (various fruit flavors to choose from). I haven't tried the two part yet, but since we have an official T-rex superfood distributer up in Canada I plan to try it out.
-----
PHLdyPayne

The 'superfoods' are now being sold in a two part system, as mentioned earlier. The base is mixed with the sweet nectar at 60/40% (50/50 if using live foods). The sweeter mix is more palatable for the cresteds. There are many nectars available- apricot, fig, strawberry, banana to give the geckos a bit of a choice. I've not found one they don't like. Great stuff!
-----
Wally
supremegecko.com

I am new too and I have a question about mixing the t-rex CGD. When I purchased my geckos I also bought a book on CG which mentions mixing the CGD with fruit baby food will this work the package doesn't say anything about that, only mixing it with water. Haven't actually tried it to see if they will eat it or not, just wanted to make sure that I can't hurt them first.

I have mixed the CGD with babyfood before but only for babies to get them started. I switch over to pure CGD as soon as I can. I don't even offer live insects unless I have a female I am breeding and then I give her silkies or dusted crickets..I wish I could get them to eat Phoenix worms!!

you can mix baby food with the diet, but it tends to throw off the nutrient balance, by adding too much sugar. Stubborn eaters can have some baby food added and over time, lessen the amount of babyfood used till you have pure CDG.

As to how much water to add with the baby fruit and powder..about half as much water. If it seems too thick, add a bit more water. I find the diet works best if still a bit watery. Ensures your geckos are plenty hydrated.

For one to 4 babies, I mix about one quarter teaspoon powder to half a teaspoon of water (or one quarter water, one quarter babyfood). I give a small amount of it to each baby gecko. I use pop bottle caps (washed and with the lining removed if possible) and put enough in to cover the bottom of the cap for hatchlings up to a couple months, basically, I keep offering the same amount till there is very little of it left in the cap when I take it out next day. I add a bit more next feeding, to make sure they are not being left hungry.

For 6-8 month old crested babies, I use small ceramic dishes and give about quarter teaspoon each adjusting more or less depending on what is left in the dish the next day.

Right now, with 3 adult crested geckos, 3 adult gargoyle geckos, two 9 month juveniles and 4 hatchlings, I mix about a teaspoon of dry powder for crested geckos, and half a teaspoon dry for the gargoyles. They don't leave much left behind.

THe adults I only feed every couple of days, about 2-3 times a week. young adults every other day and hatchlings every day till they are about 5 months old.

I use straight CGD with no crickets or other additives. Occasionally I offer small silkworms, butterworms or phoenix worms if I have any available.
-----
PHLdyPayne