Water Crystals = Humidity
- Thread starter ghordy
- Start date
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2004
- Messages
- 1,723
These will and do eventually mold.
They do however do not spill but it is generally thought that T's cannot get water from them.
these are mixed in with potting soil to increase the water retaining capabilities of the soil. not sure how they would work in a T enclosure mixed in with the substrate. but in a dish they will eventually mold.
for $$ sake and ease.. a larger water bowl and reduce airflow is better ( IMO )
Tho for my humid arboreals ( just got into some ) I think I will try the crystals in the substrate.
They do however do not spill but it is generally thought that T's cannot get water from them.
these are mixed in with potting soil to increase the water retaining capabilities of the soil. not sure how they would work in a T enclosure mixed in with the substrate. but in a dish they will eventually mold.
for $$ sake and ease.. a larger water bowl and reduce airflow is better ( IMO )
Tho for my humid arboreals ( just got into some ) I think I will try the crystals in the substrate.
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2009
- Messages
- 1,287
Another nice way of getting substrate to hold water is to either layer in or mix in vermiculite.
Mixed in it doesn't look fantastically natural but layering it works great for me as you can't see it. It holds water nicely for a good length of time as well.
Depends what you've got available.
Mixed in it doesn't look fantastically natural but layering it works great for me as you can't see it. It holds water nicely for a good length of time as well.
Depends what you've got available.
Actually, I was going to ask if anyone had tried this. While at Menards recently (my wife wanted to get some bulbs to plant), I noticed a tube of water gel that is supposed to be mixed in with potting soil. It didn't mention having any fertilizer in it and it was only 1 dollar per tube.
I didn't get it, but I did wonder if it could be mixed into substrate to provide a prolonged moisture level for arboreal species that would never get into it.
Good thought, will you update us on whether it works or molds?
When I went to an expo some weeks back a seller had his T's in plastic salad containers with a mound of water gel piled right on the substrate in the corner. Being a breeder he must have realized that T's have difficulty drinking from it so he must have utilized it for humidity and having some sort of moisture available. I followed his lead for my sling enclosures... not by mixing it in the substrate, but piling little mounds of it in the corner. If it molds, I'll just scoop it out and replace it. I got a big bag of this stuff.
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2009
- Messages
- 1,287
if you want to be scientific about it which might be useful, setup two enclosures, one with the gel in it, the other with a water dish in it containing the same about of water crystals.
whack in a humidity gauge and keep everything about the enclosures the same, and see which gets up to a higher amount. This would be useful to many I think.
I'd do it myself but I don't have water crystals lol
whack in a humidity gauge and keep everything about the enclosures the same, and see which gets up to a higher amount. This would be useful to many I think.
I'd do it myself but I don't have water crystals lol
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2009
- Messages
- 460
I was thinking about using the crystals in the substrate as they sell similar, if not the same, for keeping potted house plants watered.
One thing I did do when I rehoused my A. avic in her new enclosure is mix in a great bit of vermiculite (I had to purchase from Adam Hundt with the enclosure) with my coco fiber and it seems when I moisten down the substrate it holds the moisture a lot longer and I haven't had any issues with mold or mites (/cross fingers)
It helps leech back into the coco as it dries and keeps a nice constant 70-80% RH within the enclosure. No condensation and I've not had to restrict ventilation. I'm going to use this mix now in all my enclosures as they come around for re-housing/maintenance.
Also, mixed in, it doesn't look too bad in my opinion but again that's me. It could bother some but ease of care over ease on eyes is more my concern.
One thing I did do when I rehoused my A. avic in her new enclosure is mix in a great bit of vermiculite (I had to purchase from Adam Hundt with the enclosure) with my coco fiber and it seems when I moisten down the substrate it holds the moisture a lot longer and I haven't had any issues with mold or mites (/cross fingers)
It helps leech back into the coco as it dries and keeps a nice constant 70-80% RH within the enclosure. No condensation and I've not had to restrict ventilation. I'm going to use this mix now in all my enclosures as they come around for re-housing/maintenance.
Also, mixed in, it doesn't look too bad in my opinion but again that's me. It could bother some but ease of care over ease on eyes is more my concern.
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2006
- Messages
- 823
They are the same thing buddy, so no worries.
I tried this with a B. albopilosum once. Having been aware that the crystals are used in gardening, I thought it might help with some extra humidity. It worked in theory, but I had two problems:
1- Not a good idea with a terrestrial species. When they burrow and/or move the soil around the crystals get dug up, scattered around and look unsightly.
2- They are cricket magnets, and attract eggs and poop. Once they get soiled an odor will start to develop that can only be fixed with a complete tear down.
The first one is obviously not an issue with arboreals. Number two may not be in a large planted terrarium with a small amount of crystals deeply worked into the soil. At that point however, I'm not sure how much benefit they would be. I've had no problems maintaining humidity with a water dish and container of peat or coco in arboreal setups.
If any of you try this, post some pics and a report after you get results...
Scott
Last edited:
- Joined
- Dec 10, 2008
- Messages
- 527
You could always just increase your water dish size and frequency of watering, or decrease ventilation.
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2009
- Messages
- 460
Definately!
I figured they were the same but in today's chemistry of multi-polymer world I didn't want to risk without further investigation.
I can see your valid points on digging up, cricket poo/eggs etc. I could now see where that might be a massive issue especially if they do get dug up and start to stink!
Anyone who tries things of this nature, as stated, be sure to post results!
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2008
- Messages
- 381
How about this? What about those water globes that automatically keep the substrate moist. It would be cool in the enclosure too. hmmmm I might try that!
I use vermiculate in my substrate to help retain water. I also wet the substrate as needed per species. There is almost no different between providing an extra water dish or providing a pile of water gels. In fact, a water dish may more readily provide humidity than the gels, since the water isn't locked in.
I use water gels with my feeders and have never ever seen them develop mold - ever. It's a polyacrylamide and I'm not even sure if that stuff CAN mold. If food or something organic gets on it, yeah, it'll mold - but not on its own.
I can understand the use of the gels at an expo to provide humidity..just to keep things neat right? But the use of it at home is unnecessary when you can either provide an extra water dish or mist the substrate more often.
BTW, you can buy watergel crystals on ebay for ~$7/lb. One pound of the dry stuff will last you a VERY long time.. never ever buy the premade stuff. It's probaby one of the biggest rip-offs in all of exotic pet keeping.
I use water gels with my feeders and have never ever seen them develop mold - ever. It's a polyacrylamide and I'm not even sure if that stuff CAN mold. If food or something organic gets on it, yeah, it'll mold - but not on its own.
I can understand the use of the gels at an expo to provide humidity..just to keep things neat right? But the use of it at home is unnecessary when you can either provide an extra water dish or mist the substrate more often.
BTW, you can buy watergel crystals on ebay for ~$7/lb. One pound of the dry stuff will last you a VERY long time.. never ever buy the premade stuff. It's probaby one of the biggest rip-offs in all of exotic pet keeping.
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2007
- Messages
- 1,135
The layering vermiculite sounds like a decent idea.
silica gel
I ting I have some experience using the crystals , years ego we try in orchid compost, work for some time, if you keep it wet all time. but a soon it dries the sand return to primitive hard form, for gelling again you need to drench in water again, something you never do in soil unless you do a swamp. no good for tarantula enclosures. the best for moisture is vermiculite, added to peat or coco. a big flat water bowl. but don't be to worry for jungle moist is only at early morning or after rain. most time jungle is at 50% - 60%
I ting I have some experience using the crystals , years ego we try in orchid compost, work for some time, if you keep it wet all time. but a soon it dries the sand return to primitive hard form, for gelling again you need to drench in water again, something you never do in soil unless you do a swamp. no good for tarantula enclosures. the best for moisture is vermiculite, added to peat or coco. a big flat water bowl. but don't be to worry for jungle moist is only at early morning or after rain. most time jungle is at 50% - 60%
This is the best answer of them all, +10.
I'm not even sure why anyone would mess around with water crystals and whatnot. :?
- Joined
- Jun 17, 2006
- Messages
- 823
I was thinking the same thingIt seems vaguely familiar
Ok then, +10 to everyone who suggested it. Is that better?I was thinking the same thing