Adding Calcium to Water Crystals

[ConcertPhotog]

Is anyone adding calcium supplement when they make their water crystals for feeder insects? And do you have any idea how much would be a good amount? I know Flukers has a version of their water gel that is calcium fortified, but I haven't checked what the ratio is.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

In my experience calcium should only be gut loaded into feeder insects 24 hours or less before they are fed off.
Calcium seems to have an adverse effect on the insects health and in a short amount of time their limbs will begin to freeze.
It is not long after this paralysis sets in that the feeder is dead.
I do not feed calcium to my feeder insects. I think dusting is much more effective.
Calcium fortified gut load is a commercial gimmick, in my opinion.

-Brad

 

[Jam]

I'e noticed this too. A few times a couple years back I added calcium dusting powder directly to my gut load thinking it would "juice up" the calcium content of my crickets

They all died within 48 hours.