what about water gel/crystal.... stuff?

[tangoblue37]

Ok, so everyone says that for water you should give your t a dish with a rock or something in it. Also sponges and the like are a no no because of bacteria.

Today though, i just tried that water gel stuff (its like a jelly consistency). The t can drink it, it doesn't evaporate as quick as water, and insects/ the t can't drown in in.

In all fairness it's a bit pricey but i quite like it.

Now you're probably wondering why i'm sitting her blabbing on about it? well, i was wondering if there is anything wrong with using it, because it seems a bit odd to me that nobody else seem to use it.

Thanks and does anyone else use it?

 

[captmarga]

I've been told it's fine for crickets, but not for Ts. T's need a water dish, and not the cricket gel. I also believe it's calcium enriched, which they don't need either. Stick to the gel for the feeder insects, and use water for the Ts.

Marga

 

[DannyH]

I've been told it's fine for crickets, but not for Ts. T's need a water dish, and not the cricket gel. I also believe it's calcium enriched, which they don't need either. Stick to the gel for the feeder insects, and use water for the Ts.

Marga

Actually, I think you should just use plain water for feeders. Many food and water gels made for feeders are high in calcium, while good for reptiles, is hypothizised to be bad for T's. Just give your crixs a little shallow water dish and fresh veges.

 

[SuicidalSock]

Just buy the water crystals then add water. No hidden extras.

 

[jayefbe]

Actually, I think you should just use plain water for feeders. Many food and water gels made for feeders are high in calcium, while good for reptiles, is hypothizised to be bad for T's. Just give your crixs a little shallow water dish and fresh veges.

Hypothesized but with no information to back it up other than anecdotal purely circumstantial evidence. Most people that raise their own feeders use water gel crystals with no adverse effects. I'd say they're pretty safe for feeders.

Also, it's very very difficult for tarantulas to drown since the bristles on their abdomen repel water and prevent it from entering the book lungs. Pebbles work just as effectively at preventing cricket drownings. Plus, evaporation from the dish increases ambient humidity.

 

[BenjaminBoa]

No no no, even plain cricket jell can not be used with tarantulas, they have a sort of filter on their sucking stomach that prevents pretty much anything but water to go through it, not even most bacteria and parasites can fit through there. Unless your tarantula is smart enough to regergitate digestive enzymes on the stuff (which yours probably is) but for most tarantulas I'd say its a no no, they just are not designed to eat that shit. I've heard of people using it with slings but slings are pretty good at gathering all the water they need from condensation, substrate, or the food they eat, the smaller sized blocks could be blamed on evaporation. A water dish is a better way to go, like Jayefbe said T's are water proof and pebbles will stop crix from drowning, the water bowl also serves as a microclimate with a much higher humidity where the T can go if the humidity drops suddenly and it is in need of moisture (like say if it were shedding)

I do believe when Tarantulas do eat the gell they do so thinking it is dead prey. If you watch your T exploring when they're hungry, particularly slings or even spiders outside they'll test bite anything that feels fleshy and dead to see if it's food, the gell would feel like that. But if that is the case the tarantula wouldn't understand that the gell is it's water source so if it were to be dehydrated it might not know to go to that spot. This is just hypothetical from what I've observed and read. Waterbowls are just more natural..

 

[DannyH]

Hypothesized but with no information to back it up other than anecdotal purely circumstantial evidence. Most people that raise their own feeders use water gel crystals with no adverse effects. I'd say they're pretty safe for feeders.

Also, it's very very difficult for tarantulas to drown since the bristles on their abdomen repel water and prevent it from entering the book lungs. Pebbles work just as effectively at preventing cricket drownings. Plus, evaporation from the dish increases ambient humidity.

Better safe than sorry.

 

[grayzone]

Just buy the water crystals then add water. No hidden extras.

WTH is the point of buying water crystals if ya gotta add water? why spend extra cash? no gel, no crystals, no redbull.... just WATER !!!!all ya need

 

[Perocore]

I wouldn't use gel for a T...considering some gel I was using for the crickets started killing my Hissers...if it kills the hissers, I won't risk losing my T. Water is cheaper, easier absorbed, and adds some extra humidity, especially good for when your T is getting close to moulting. It's also cleaner and you don't risk a possibility of the chemicals that may be found in gel.

Of course, you are all entitled to your own opinions, that's just mine.​

 

[tangoblue37]

Actually, she (the t) has put some substrate onto the gel. This says to me she doesn't like it?

Anyway, i'll change it back to water just now to be on the safe side.

And after that i get to write 5000 words on sewage treatment and the public helath benefits; fun... i think not.

 

[Hobo]

That doesn't mean anything really. Sometimes, Ts will simply track sub into whatever their walking on, water dish included. Some also have the annoying habit of dumping substrate, boli, and other things into moist corners/water dishes.

Anyway, according to the TKG, There have been a few reports of sick or dead tarantulas after using water gel.
I see no point in using it, really. Plain water is cheaper, maintains humidity better, lasts longer, and seems easier to drink from than water crystals. As long as you choose the right size of water dish, there's no real chance of drowning your spider. Even if it is too big/deep, they can swim and crawl out with ease.

 

[jim777]

True, my T's put dirt in their water dishes a lot, and my psychotic rosie often turns it over as well. I wouldn't use these crystals simply because it isn't something the T might encounter in nature as a source of water. Water is so easy as well.

 

[Guy Wood]

Water is cheaper, easier absorbed, and adds some extra humidity

Says it all really .

 

[mark e sic]

nice! I always wondered about this... now i know

 

[SuicidalSock]

WTH is the point of buying water crystals if ya gotta add water? why spend extra cash? no gel, no crystals, no redbull.... just WATER !!!!all ya need

Because adding water with crickets make the humidity go up, they can drown, it becomes full of bacteria. Making the Gel for them is a clean way of giving them water. Doesnt dry up, get dirty or make them stink to high heaven. It costs like £1 to make 8 liters of the stuff. Hardly cost much and saves alot of mucking about with a fresh water source.

Live a little, go on. Spend the $2... cheapskate

---------- Post added 01-10-2012 at 06:11 PM ----------

Obviously fresh water for your T.

 

[tangoblue37]

nice! I always wondered about this... now i know

Me too []

 

[grayzone]

Because adding water with crickets make the humidity go up, they can drown, it becomes full of bacteria. Making the Gel for them is a clean way of giving them water. Doesnt dry up, get dirty or make them stink to high heaven. It costs like £1 to make 8 liters of the stuff. Hardly cost much and saves alot of mucking about with a fresh water source.

Live a little, go on. Spend the $2... cheapskate

providing the gel a is a clean way for WHO to get water? MY TS get fresh water dishes accordingly, and misted accordingly as well. the crickets on the other hand get NOTHIN... when i buy a couple dozen at once i dump em in a kk with some Flukers orange/carrot things, some kitchen scraps (ie lettuce, lime, apple,) or some dog/cat food.. just depends on whats at hand. suprisingly i dont really have too many cricket casualties either. i just dont buy more than what my ts need in a week.

 

[SuicidalSock]

providing the gel a is a clean way for WHO to get water? MY TS get fresh water dishes accordingly, and misted accordingly as well. the crickets on the other hand get NOTHIN... when i buy a couple dozen at once i dump em in a kk with some Flukers orange/carrot things, some kitchen scraps (ie lettuce, lime, apple,) or some dog/cat food.. just depends on whats at hand. suprisingly i dont really have too many cricket casualties either. i just dont buy more than what my ts need in a week.

The Crickets..

 

[grayzone]

hmm...i just dont see a need to buy the food some food/gel water when you can give them lettuce, fruits, veggies and they get hydration + nutrition.... thats like buying feeder goldfish fish flakes... id rather be a cheapskate and use that money i saved for more ts

 

[jakykong]

hmm...i just dont see a need to buy the food some food/gel water when you can give them lettuce, fruits, veggies and they get hydration + nutrition.... thats like buying feeder goldfish fish flakes... id rather be a cheapskate and use that money i saved for more ts

It becomes a little more important when you're breeding your feeders. When I first started my dubia colony mid last year, I tried fresh water... drownings were not at all uncommon. The water gel does prevent this. Fresh veggies are great, but the dubia definitely go through the water gel, too... And, for $12 at the local hardware store, I have a lifetime supply. I will NEVER run out .

... For the Ts, on the other hand, water is fine.