Help with Water Crystals...

Water Gel, Water Crystals, Agrosoak... Whatever form is used, what is the "Life Cycle"?

What I mean is this. Do you make enough to store in a container, or just enough to put in your roach / cricket water bowl. What happens as it dries out? Can you add more water to it, or does it evaporate as it dries? What is the shelf life of the gel once made both in an open bowl and in a a closed container like they sell pre-made at the pet store?

Any help would be appreciated. I am having trouble finding the answers to these specific questions online.

Also, are there any problems with mold or bacteria as the water gel sits for days at a time?

The original form of the gel is a salt like, crystalline form. When you add water, the gel absorbs the water becoming a gelatin like mass many times the original size. If you were to just leave it in a bowl to evaporate it will return to the original salt like form. The crystals themselves will not evaporate.
And simply adding more water will reconstitute it.
You can also add water to the existing wet form and it will continue to absorb the water up to a point. One thing that does happen as that as it dries and becomes more solid is the roaches seem to carry it off.
I have never had an issue with it forming mold or bacteria. Since the crytals are polymer and the only additive is tap water there are no organics to feed a mold or bacterial bloom.
And the chlorine in the water as it comes from the tap helps to stabilize it.
I have pre-made small batches which I stored for a couple of weeks without issue.

Once again, Merlin, you come to the rescue!

My sincerest gratitude.

No problem buddy!

I made what I thought was going be a small batch about six weeks ago... I kept adding water as it absorbed it and ended up with over three gallons of the stuff. It stores fine, no issues for me either. I also realized that my $20 bag of crystals will probably last over a couple of years. As they dehydrate in the heated roach container, I put a little water in over the crystals and within a few minutes they are full size again. I only add new crystals about once a week.

I bought a little package at the dollar store here. I put a table spoon in an old washed out shampoo bottle every time I add some new gel to the crickets I add more water and they keep expanding to fill the bottle. I have been doing that for 6+ months. I find it only molds if something gets in it like when the crickets poo in it.

Excellent info everyone! Thanks a ton!