Water Crystals???

[Texas Ranger]

I have just started my first Dubia colony. Thanks to a vendor at the Arlington Reptile Show this weekend. I have noticed people using water crystals for them and other feeders. I understand what they are and why I should use them. My question is: Where do I buy them(cheap)? Or what is a recipe to make them?

Thanks guys

 

[ruru]

out here we can get them from about any petstore ...i always get the one thats fortified with calcium

 

[ghettomike]

instead of using water crystals which I find just dry out very fast I use an orange cut in half for my dubia to get their hydration from. It works great, they like it and a full orange usually last about 2 weeks.

 

[pssh]

Sometimes you can find them on eBay for pretty cheap. I believe you can find some at hardware/garden stores. It's stuff for plants, but don't get any with fertilizer.

Mine don't dry out quickly if I leave them on the cool end of the tank. Before they get 100% dry I take them out and either re-hydrate them or replace them.

 

[Metric]

instead of using water crystals which I find just dry out very fast I use an orange cut in half for my dubia to get their hydration from. It works great, they like it and a full orange usually last about 2 weeks.

Like Pssh said, if you add some water to your dish of water gel it keeps them hydrated for a pretty considerable amount of time, even if you just add some water once a day they tend to last a while.

 

[KingKameha]

The best price that I found was from the roach guy. Google him, the food he carries is also a good deal. I use the crystals because they provide hydration and as they dry they bring the humidity level up in the tub. It works better imo than spraying the tub.

 

[Texas Panther Man]

Why are you spraying your tub? Ive had dubias about a year and never sprayed my bin.

 

[jessica]

Why are you spraying your tub? Ive had dubias about a year and never sprayed my bin.

I spray the side of my bins for humidity, I notice better production when it's a little higher.

You probably have good humidity though

 

[FredChameleon]

try this:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxJ3iC3sQZ4

 

[dabears51]

instead of using water crystals which I find just dry out very fast I use an orange cut in half for my dubia to get their hydration from. It works great, they like it and a full orange usually last about 2 weeks.

Wow. You must not have many dubias in your colony. A whole orange only lasts a few hours in my bin. But then again, I have 500+. I forget where I bought my crystals but a little goes a long way. A teaspoon or so of dry crystals makes like 32oz. of water crystals overnight. Don't remember if that's the exact dose since I don't really measure but it's close. I don't spray my bins either but it wouldn't hurt. I rarely have dead roaches either.

 

[pssh]

I spray my bins once a week. It seems to speed up production and molting.

I think I'd need 10 oranges to keep all my roaches hydrated for a day.

 

[Texas Ranger]

Thanks for the help guys. Yeah I would rather use water crystals than just a orange. I think I worded my question wrong. I was wondering if I had to buy water crystals or if there was a way to make them home made? But I guess I have to buy them.
Where is the cheapest place to get them? With the cheapest shipping?

Thanks for the help

 

[nacho]

I was looking the other day at a couple of of sites
and did a search for water crystals and had Hope this helps
Mark

 

[pssh]

There is someone on eBay selling a pound of it for like 8 dollars I think. There is also someone selling egg flat/water crystal combos.