Water Crystals...need refrigeration?

[jfreels]

So I thought this would be the appropriate place for this topic since it involves something that has to do with feeders....

I just made my first batch of water crystals. If I keep them air tight, do I have to refrigerate them? The directions don't tell me what to do with leftovers, almost like they expected me to make one little batch.

Thanks!

 

[acpart]

I make up a whole bunch and store it in a quart size deli container, like what you get soup in. You can even store it uncovered, but I don't want dirt and dust to fall in it.

Aliza

 

[Khrysty]

I don't see why they'd have to be refrigerated. I'd keep them in an airtight container and just use them as needed

 

[jfreels]

Thanks so much! I made a huge batch, like half a quart. I'm glad I don't have to keep traveling from the kitchen to the reptile room(different floors in the house) every time I need to get some. That's my current predicament. I was getting the Flukers cricket quencher which says it should be refrigerated. I did the cost because my bottle is almost empty and it's WAY cheaper to make my own crystals and buy the Flukers gut load.

My next step will be making my own gut load, which I use to do but my chopper broke.

 

[jfreels]

They are going to down on the water crystals! I wonder of the hard Flukers cubes were ever good for anything? I'll try and see if I get any extra life out of them with the new change in food and water.

 

[jermh1]

ok
I say they dont need to be refrigerated for a good week or two. I found back when it took over a week to use a gallon, they would get really slimy and cloudy which is bacteria growing. now I hooked up an old giant katsup bottle and bore out the opening to around 5/8, I funnel the crystals into it and use it to dispense the crystals, so I dont have to put my grubby hands into the crystals, and I have noticed a big difference as to how long they last before getting nasty. But I also go through at least 1.5 gal a week so not a real chance for them to get nasty.

as for gut load check this link out 10.99 for 6lbs
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6016+7891+6466&pcatid=6466

 

[jfreels]

DUDE! Thank you!

 

[cbentley]

umm, this may be a stupid question. How do you make water crystals? Sorry Im new.

 

[jfreels]

I didn't know until today. Since I wanted to experiment, I went to my local flower shop and picked up a small bag of water crystals. They were like $2. I looked all over online for directions because the ones included with the crystals wasn't very clear.

I ended up filling a small mixing bowl with water and added a tablespoon of the crystals. In about an hour the crystals soaked up all the water.

There are many websites online to get the crystals. My local nursery had them, Wal-Mart did not....that's about the only thing they don't have! HA

 

[cbentley]

Thank you!

 

[Tony C]

I don't refrigerate mine. I don't really pay attention to how long a batch lasts me, but I have never had issues with bacterial growth.

 

[jfreels]

Thanks for your input, Tony!

They are going all sorts of crazy over the water crystals. I'm glad I switched.

 

[jfreels]

Can I use these with my black beetles too? Or do they just get everything they need from the substrate and the vegies?

 

[jfreels]

I have my worms and beetles on the water crystals now. Thanks guys! And I just ordered the progeckos gut load today. I'll report on it after I get it.

I must add, the ketchup bottle thing didn't work out for me. At first it was good, but after a few days, when I would squeeze out some crystals, it would just kick out a lot of water. I'm back to the air tight container and a plastic spoon.

 

[TFerguson]

I have my worms and beetles on the water crystals now. Thanks guys! And I just ordered the progeckos gut load today. I'll report on it after I get it.

I must add, the ketchup bottle thing didn't work out for me. At first it was good, but after a few days, when I would squeeze out some crystals, it would just kick out a lot of water. I'm back to the air tight container and a plastic spoon.

So, if you're ketchup bottle is is spitting out water, i'd say you're mixing in more water than the crystals can absorb.

T Ferguson

 

[steve905]

Pro Gecko sells the crystals....Really reasonable for a pound bag....Crystals for a year...

 

[jfreels]

So, if you're ketchup bottle is is spitting out water, i'd say you're mixing in more water than the crystals can absorb.

I would agree, but I strain off the additional water post process, then I transferred it to the bottle.

Pro Gecko sells the crystals....Really reasonable for a pound bag....Crystals for a year...

Just ordered some the other day, thanks!

 

[jermh1]

been a while,
the water issue, I find a little extra water helps funnel the water crystals into the bottle, the bottle im using just has a flap that covers the hole and locks in place, its not water tight, i just hold it upside down and squeeze out the extra water with the top on, just takes a few seconds. I use them for roaches and have found as long as there is a few crystals in the dish, they wont fall in and drown, so just 2 or 3 large crystals floating around will give them something to grab onto. But I do prefer to squeeze out the water.