Vacation and feeder roaches?

[elportoed]

I get a small bowl of water crystals to last about 10 days with a 1000 count lateralis colony by putting a 12 oz plastic bottle full of water in the crystals with a 1/2" diameter hole at the bottom. Make sure the cap is on tight. It slowly seeps out as the crystals are depleted and it makes it last a lot longer. It's essentially a cheap homemade water dispenser. Eventually the roaches stop eating the crystals and drink the water between them, so the risk of drowning is still minimal. In your case you could use a bigger bowl/bottle and if your colony isn't too huge it should last for enough time.

I have actually never use water crystal before, do they actually get consumed by the roaches? I thought they just suck the water out of it, so you just keep adding water.

 

[gvfarns]

I have actually never use water crystal before, do they actually get consumed by the roaches? I thought they just suck the water out of it, so you just keep adding water.

Actually they eat it. Those polymers are crazy about retaining their water...there's no way to get the water out of the polymer except evaporation.

It's actually great stuff except that you have to remember to make it up all the time...and when it gets dry it gets gummy and yellow and shrinks a lot, then you have to try and rehydrate it.

Not sure if my house is dryer than others or what, but they are always drying out really fast.

 

[brothaT]

You might try some variation on the tupperware/rope combo. It was a neat thing.

That was really clever, I'll try it in my hisser colony and see what happens.

 

[pinkfoot]

Here are some pics of the setup. It's really simple and makes your life a whole lot easier. You need to put the cap on or else all the water will flow out of the bottle and overflow your bowl. With the cap on, water will only seep out when the level gets below that of the 1/2" hole at the bottom.

Great pics, thanks!

Yep, that should work nicely. I'll change mine today, now that I understand completely. :worship:

 

[eelnoob]

If you're worried I would also go with the dry dog food, wouldn't want to leave anything that can go bad, such as veggies in there. You might come home to find your place infested with fruitflies or whatever.

 

[Rochelle]

This is how we water our huge colonies every day...it seems to cut down on the hassle of keeping water crystals on hand and clean; while preventing drownings, at the same time. We've used these for years and have never had a problem with them. The dishes are coarse, so every type of roach we keep has easy access. (my husband is brilliant.)

Hope you find this helpful!

 

[pinkfoot]

That looks great, Rochelle!

I tried the upside-down-bottle-in-gel, but all I got was...well flooded!

What prevents your water from pouring out, out of control? :?

 

[Pacmaster]

Here are some pics of the setup. It's really simple and makes your life a whole lot easier. You need to put the cap on or else all the water will flow out of the bottle and overflow your bowl. With the cap on, water will only seep out when the level gets below that of the 1/2" hole at the bottom.

Wow, while the vacume waterer principal is not new in any way, I never thought to utilize it in my roach colony like that.
When I had my reeftank, I called it a top-off system . . .
Absolutely brilliant !!! :worship:
Those crystals would last for weeks like that as Im sure you are right- the roaches would go for the easier-to-drink water between the crystals.
And the double food/water bowl w/sandpapered-sides, oohhhh I been doing it wrong, all wrong :wall:

Now, vacations are only limited to the size of your water jug . . .
Thankyou for posting those pics!

PS- in my head I see one of those upside-down 5g alhambra-jug type waterbowls for dogs, with the bottom fuul of crystals and some kinda ramp up to it.
Maybe even a piece of plastic eggcrate that sits on top the bowl part for the roaches to climb on . . .

 

[Pacmaster]

That looks great, Rochelle!

I tried the upside-down-bottle-in-gel, but all I got was...well flooded!

What prevents your water from pouring out, out of control? :?

The small hole in the tightly sealed cap that sits just below the waterline, Id say!

 

[pinkfoot]

Tried that, mate - ;P

I guess my level dropped too much and my hole was exposed...lousy when your holes is exposed...:razz:

 

[Pacmaster]

Tried that, mate - ;P

I guess my level dropped too much and my hole was exposed...lousy when your holes is exposed...:razz:

Especially if its leakin . . .