sodium polyacrylate?

[CoolCham]

Would using sodium polyacrylate to water crickets/roaches ok? I know its used in diapers and i think its what flukers cricket quencher is made of. We have some of it crystallized, and it would be convenient if we could just use that instead of buy other stuff.

 

[laurie]

Are you talking about water crystals? If so I make and use them by the gallon. Just make sure you never let a dried up crystal get to a cham. You don't want is swelling up in your cham.

 

[SaintJimmy]

Are you talking about water crystals? If so I make and use them by the gallon. Just make sure you never let a dried up crystal get to a cham. You don't want is swelling up in your cham.

Definitely.
Think of the crystals like a sponge. The sponge expands when it absorbs liquid from the stomach, and then possibly it would either stay somewhat sharp, or still hurt the cham by expansion.

 

[CoolCham]

Ok I'll try them and be careful, I would only be giving them to the crickets and I'll make sure the ones I give to the crickets are fully expanded.

 

[dlegare]

I'm very wary of using water crystals for feeder insects.

1 I just don't trust it. Can we eat it?
2 in the medical field we use a similar compound to remove potassium in potassium toxicity. Is this product absorbing/binding to vitamins/minerals and preventing absorption?
3 it can harbor molds, bacteria, fungus.

I know it has been used safely for years with no known detrimental effects

I just don't trust it.

 

[CoolCham]

What would be a good way to water feeders besides the crystals and just putting water a little cap? They always seem to drown our die..

 

[Digby Rigby]

Moisture Munchies

The water crystals are basically a form of plastic. I do not like them. if you want something natural use moisture munchies made from agar agar. We have used them with great success and they also bring added nutrients to the table. Also if one is feeding a good diet with vegetables and fruits supplemental water isnt needed.

Here is a link to the recipe. I do believe this is what you want.

http://drayco2.tripod.com/MM.html You are welcome.

 

[Turningdoc]

Oranges! Cheap, available and mold free

 

[Psychobunny]

I used to use that stuff a long time ago until I realized it was not needed.
Just give them fruit and veggies and a little Bug Burger.
They get all the water they need from fresh produce, and they cant drown in it

 

[deadhd5]

I use water crystals and have found that they result in less dieoff for my crickets. My roaches were breeding very slowly until I provided water crystals, then the population exploded.

I still provide fruit and veggies (and constant oranges to my roaches). The addition of water crystals has not slowed down how much fruit and veggies they eat, the water crystals supplement them.

I see no reason to move away from them in light of the positive outcomes since adding them. I have seen no evidence that the material is harmful.

 

[Lathelia]

I use only veggies and fruits, no water. I believe (though I'm not sure) they might eat more when thirsty and get more nutritious that way

 

[simondou]

It's different.

Would using sodium polyacrylate to water crickets/roaches ok? I know its used in diapers and i think its what flukers cricket quencher is made of. We have some of it crystallized, and it would be convenient if we could just use that instead of buy other stuff.

Sodium polyacrylate is widely used in paper diaper and potassium polyacrylate is used in plants water retaining. They are all called "super absorbent polymer" but there are big difference between them.
Simon
Marketing Department
www.socochem.com