Reptile & Amphibian Forums

where can i buy healthy water absorbent crystals?wormmna is sold out

Why would you want to?

the Bean Farm sells em'

I'm trying to get my dragon back on crickets and the gel water works the best for hydration for crickets.

I don't get it...why all this work and determination to get your dragon on crickets? If she doesn't want to eat them, superworms are fine. They are only a little more expensive than crickets, but keep much easier..and are healthy enough for adult dragons..if dusted once in awhile (same as crickets to be honest).

I was glad when my dragon was big enough for superworms and other insect feeders..I couldn't stand dealing with crickets. Getting a dozen every couple weeks for my tarantula is about all I want to deal with crickets..
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

I use apple slices for cricket hydration. I change them every other day. They are all natural with no chemicals going into the food that goes into my animals.

I agree with BDlvr...it's like settling for "fruit flavored" juice instead of real juice, or fruit " roll-up" type snacks instead of actual fruit.Why settle for the man-made stuff when you can have the real thing ?

Watercrystals are non-toxic and pose no detriment to feeder or animals that eat them. They offer many advantages over water dishes or moist sponges. They last 8-12 months in gel form, years in the crystal form and do not mold. Fruits and veggies can be used to equal effectiveness for moisture but have to be changed out daily, imho.

Also a full dish of water crystals helps keep the humidity up in the feeder tanks, which is important for the tropical species.

The manufacturers may claim that water crystals "pose no detriment" but how do you prove that? It's a lot more believable that fruits, vegs. etc pose no detriment. Companies make all kinds of claims that are later found to be untrue. Cigarette anyone?

Sponges are bad because the bugs eat bits of the sponge while they're getting moisture, this is then transferred to the dragon when the bug is ingested.

Water crystals have that problem also. The bugs are eating the chemicals that make up the gel as they are pulling moisture from it. I just don't believe that injested chemicals can be a positive thing, so I would never use that product.

Whether you use sponges, water dishes, water crystals, fruit, etc the biggest issue is dirt. Bugs walk in their own waste and then walk over or through their food and water supply. So regardless of what you use it should be completely replaced very regularly.

I know there are a few studies out there stating that polyacrylamide is not safe, but it is still classified as a non-toxic polymer. Much more reputable research is needed to deem it unsafe, and in the 4 years of using water gels in my feeder tanks I have never had a problem.

OK. To me it's just not worth any risk when other options exist.

I agree with BDLvr. Its best not to use chemicals etc... even those deemed 'safe'. These water crystals/gels are not tested anywhere near as much as say, a product for human consumption..so the fact crickets can get moisture and don't die off really fast...isn't a real indication if long term exposure to the chemical in cricket/insect predators own health.

I seem to remember reading that some of those gel watering things can build up inside not just the cricket's digestive tract but also the lizard they are fed to, which can lead to blockage. It may go unnoticed as it takes awhile to accumulate enough to cause a noticeable sign.

However, crickets just don't live long enough to really know how these chemicals affect their health. Nor have there been any real steadies on the long term effects of the chemicals on insect predators.

Also, the crystals should be changed every day anyway...to avoid contamination by poop. Just as fresh greens should be replace daily. This cuts down on smells in the cricket container etc.

Sponges are worse in my opinion..as they mold and can be eaten...and get contaminated with poop which isn't easy to wash out (it can get into all the pockets etc and the sponge can fast become a huge bacteria farm, unless its really thoroughly cleaned between uses. Water is cheap and easily dechlorinated just by leaving some water sitting over night.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

No argument with going the natural route. Must wash the fruits and veggies though : )

oh yes, I definitely do that...and for crickets I make sure I shake the water off or pat dry with a paper towel...since crickets don't like alot of humidity.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

you mean those jelly like stuff used as cricket/insect water?

Personally I dont' trust that stuff.. does the gelatin used in it break down in insects? (not even sure it is actually gelatin used..or some other substance) That and its a rather waste of money when added some fresh greens in with crickets provides all the moisture they need...and less likely to get all covered in poo (if the greens are changed daily of course)

Superworms don't need it...if they have some fresh greens laid on top of the oatmeal every couple days (just make sure the greens are too damp or thickly layered...you don't want it to get the oatmeal damp..as this can cause mold...which will kill the superworms. Ideally the greens should be all dried out in a day or two. Then replaced) For 200-500 superworms I use one collard green leaf, maybe two if I just received the shipment of superworms.

Other than for crickets and spiders (maybe scorpions?) I haven't heard of any other use for that jelled water stuff. I also have no problems with my Tarantula drinking out of a small water dish...when he was a spiderling, i used a bottle cap with water...now that he's about 4" across the legs...he gets a small ceramic bowl about 2" diameter and about as deep.

However, if you really want the gel... any pet store locally should have it...if you want it in bulk..any of the reptile/feeder suppliers online (big apple, LLLreptiles, ghann's etc) will carry it.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

I forgot to mention I'm using them for my dubia roach colony, they go through it fast not sure if it's because the temps 85 or they drink alot

Unless your apple and potato slices are organic then your "natural" ideal is pretty hypocritical. You beardie people are some of the most anal retentive people I know.