Frequently Asked Questions
Q – Can I place candles into the water beads?
A – Water beads work great with candles and floral arrangements.
Q – Can I use with my live house plants?
A – Suggested plants include arrowroot, bamboo, Chinese evergreen, dragon plant, dracaena, palms, spider plants, dieffenbachia, and philodendrons. DO NOT USE with cactus, succulents or orchids.
Q – How do I dispose of unwanted water beads?
A – To dispose of unwanted beads simply pour the them into flower beds, gardens or mix into soil. The gel beads are a great additive for potting and garden soils. Water beads are a non-toxic polymer substance that will not harm plants, grass or soil.
CAUTION! Water beads are extremely slippery when spilled. Never flush or pour beads down the drain, swelling could possibly clog drain pipes.
Q – How many beads will a package of the polymer make?
A – Add a package of the dry beads to a 1 quart bottle of water.
Let it stand for about four hours (overnight is great).
The beads will swell up and increase their weight by approximately 50 times.
Next, use a sieve to strain off any surplus water.
Now you have a large bowl or vase of sparkling water beads. Add candles, flowers or some plants, finished!
You will notice that even an ordinary glass turns into a small wonder at the touch of your hands.
Q – How long will the crystals last?
A - Length of life for decorative purposes (because of exposure to light) is approximately 1-2 years. If mixed in soil, it serves for about 7-9 years as a source for moisture retention. Since they are colored throghout they do not fade like some of the lessor quality beads available. If they start to shirnk, it is simply a loss of hydration and all that you will need to do is add water.
Q – Is it safe for kids to use?
A – Water-Gel Crystals is a polymer gel powder and is non-toxic, ecologically neutral, it breaks down after its useful working life to water, carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen.
Although non-toxic it should never be consumed or taken internally in either its granule or its gelatinous forms, it should never be used by children without constant adult supervision.
Q – How many colors of Water Beads are available?
A - Eleven individual colors. All colors of our aqua beads are available in a dry form.
Q – Will Water Beads stain my clothing, furniture, or carpet?
A – No. Aqua Water Beads are colorfast. This means that, when the gems dehydrate, the color stays with them. They will not stain other items, nor will they discolor water.
15 Comments
Can you use the water gel to grow plants that like strawberrys to eat when they develop? Will the color or poly migrate into the the fruit?
Good question. Water beads are non toxic. The polymer is colorfast and does not leach anything but water. They are used in outdoor vegetable gardens mixed into the soil as a means to stabilize watering cycles.
can you mix 2 colors
Yes. You can mix and match as many colors and combinations as your imagination will allow.
I know that a quart of water has to be added to the one tube of beads but approximately how much does one tube equal AFTER it is hydrated? A gallon? More? Less? thanks!
If you add a quart of water to a tube of water beads, there will be a small amount of excess water but you will get roughly a quart of beads.
CAN I PUT FRESH HERBS IN THEM AND CONTINUE TO USE THE HERBS?
Fresh herbs are a great idea! They only leach the water they bring in. Very safe and non toxic.
Can you use these in fish bowls, or will the beads continue to soak up water and keep expanding?
Good Question. I don’t own any fish, so I have no way to try but I do know this about water beads. I have had some soaking in water for months at a time. They reach a maximum size and stop growing. they are non toxic and mold resistent. I know that fish bowls, in general, get a bit funky from food and droppings. To clean water beads, we just put them in a colander and strain them with fresh water. I hope this was helpful.
I use them for my bamboo at work and am curious if i need to add water to the plant as well or just the water beads alone? And my plant is making them stink after only few days, is that normal?
You may want try using distilled water. Otherwise, just run them through a colander with clean water.
If I want the beads to be a color that is not offered, can I add drops of dye to the water before soaking the dry beads? Will they absorb the color?
The only conceivable way that I would see that working is to order the clear, but our beads are colored throughout the bead and this method is not recommended.
Wayne, please call me
(520) 400-7399