Water dish issue

[Brachymania]

I have about 5 different kinds of water dishes that I have bought from my local reptile store and at reptile shows and they all have this problem where the water will some how seep through into the soil. I keep the dirt out of the dish and keep the dishes rather clean. I put the dishes on my table with water in them too see if it happens outside of the setup and the water stays inside. What is causing this. Does anyone have any brands that they can recommend to me?

 

[Bumblingbear]

Are you using cold water?

Try warm water. It could be condensation.

I personally just use bottle caps from my water bottles at home and they work fine.

 

[DemonAsh]

I have about 5 different kinds of water dishes that I have bought from my local reptile store and at reptile shows and they all have this problem where the water will some how seep through into the soil. I keep the dirt out of the dish and keep the dishes rather clean. I put the dishes on my table with water in them too see if it happens outside of the setup and the water stays inside. What is causing this. Does anyone have any brands that they can recommend to me?

It's likely just evaporation. I have personally found the evap rate to be the lowest with the small ceramic-style bowls. Only problem I have with the ceramics is crickets love to commit suicide in them. A small rock, or piece of a plastic plant usually solves that problem, though.

How big is the T?

 

[Quazgar]

Maybe the T's are splashing some of the water out when they drink?

 

[Brachymania]

I seeps through in about 45 mins. I see the water in the substrate below the dish.the t's range from 3 inches to 5.5 inches. Ill try the warm water idea.

 

[fartkowski]

Is there any webbing going to the dish?

 

[Embers To Ashes]

I thought I was the only one who had this problem! For me, it is worst in my emp tank. Water dosnt stay in the bowel for more than an hour. Its a good sized waterdish too. Big enough for them to soak in and about and inch deep.

 

[JC50]

Have you considered using water crystals?

 

[paassatt]

Have you considered using water crystals?

In your opinion, are water crystals superior to regular water? If so, why?

 

[JC50]

I do not find them superior to using a water dish but they are less of a hassle and do not leak out of the dish.They are just easier to manage in my opinion but come down to a personal choice like anything else.

 

[xhexdx]

I'm pretty sure the crystals are more difficult for the spider to consume.

 

[Moltar]

Do not use water crystals, spiders need liquid water. There is most likely a small amount of webbing on/in the bowl that is wicking the water away. Clean the dish out, including the rim and outside of the dish every time you refill and you should see this problem go away.

 

[JC50]

Do not use water crystals, spiders need liquid water. There is most likely a small amount of webbing on/in the bowl that is wicking the water away. Clean the dish out, including the rim and outside of the dish every time you refill and you should see this problem go away.

I am asking for personal information and not questioning your statement but i know of other enthusiasts that use he crystals for their spiders and have not had an issues.Is there any evidence that they will not allow proper hydration for the spider because if that is an issue then i will not use them for my spiders.

 

[Moltar]

Arachnids are only capable of ingesting liquid, period. Water crystals are water bonded with a polymer in a way that is very difficult to separate. You can squeeze it, chop it, blend it, etc and they stay that gelatinous solid consistency. Insects have chewing mouthparts so they can swallow tiny chunks then let digestive enzymes do the work. Spiders are not the same. They won't spit out digestive enzymes onto the gel or envenomate it. They just try to drink it. Perhaps they get some hydration but I have a very hard time believing that it's anywhere near as beneficial as a simple bowl of liquid water. Plus it's a major bacterial hazard.

 

[JC50]

Good points and thanks for the response.

 

[lord lionheart]

I have exactly the same problem in one of my tanks. The 2 tanks right next to the tank with the water bowl issue have no problem. This one tank the water just empties. It's not evaporation as it happens within an hour or two. I removed the bowl for 24 hours to see if there was a leak, no. I even put a second small bottle cap lid in, that emptied too. I removed both dishes and cleared around them in case of any webbing or caplillary action draining the bowls before returning them, same problem. I never see the spider near the dishes ( unless it does it as soon as my back is turned LOL) Bizzarre, as I say no problems with the other tanks right next to this one, with the same conditons????

 

[catfishrod69]

one way to fix that problem is to take silicone and with your fingers, completely coat the inside of the bowl, with a layer just thick enough that there wont be any spots missed, and let it completely dry for a few days....then the water will stay in there for days not minutes....

 

[Formerphobe]

Any little bit of substrate on the lip of the bowl can wick water out of the bowl and into the substrate below.

 

[catfishrod69]

yes this is also true, had that problem with emps i had, and now have it with my little demonic king baboon

Any little bit of substrate on the lip of the bowl can wick water out of the bowl and into the substrate below.

 

[Jupiterxo]

Me and my bf use these little pot holders made out of clay in most of our tarantula cages. They were like a dollar at Michaels. Cheap and they work pretty well for us