Growing crystals?

[Symphony_grace]

I'm researching projects on growing crystals at home, and I'm very curious if borax, epsom salt, or any of the other ingredients used would harm my scale babies. I would think that some dark wood chips or something else dark brown and some crystals (possibly glow in the dark!) would be a beautiful sight!

 

[Duae]

I would not want to use borax crystals, as borax is also an effective pesticide

 

[yojoe05]

After the crystals are formed there shouldn't be any danger to them as far as I know. The major threat from them is the fumes when they're being made and then setting up. Once they're in their crystalline forms and hardened though there shouldn't be any problems with crystals in general. You may want to search the specific crystals you have form though, I've never heard of any crystals from a home growing kit that were harmful after they formed but that doesn't mean that they can't be.

 

[Justine66]

why not try collecting/ buying real crystals and gem stones?

I have actually had similar thoughts on adding a large Peice of natural amystist that I have, but also wondered if it would be safe for them? I would assume if its a natural type gem stone or crystal it should be safe for them..

I could tottaly be wrong here though,

just trying to help!

 

[dave partington]

Grace, going on what Justine just mentioned,
http://www.cfmsinc.org/shows/cfmsshow.htm

 

[Symphony_grace]

why not try collecting/ buying real crystals and gem stones?

I use real gem stones and crystals too! I have an amethyst as well with my snow corn and he practically glows on it. The only concern is the sharpness of the stone. But I thought right here is if I could add some homemade ones as well, It would enhance the look of a gorgeous cave once I find the perfect background for it. Thanks anyway ^_^

 

[dave partington]

Grace, is it possible to grow crystals on a natural crystal, to double up? I did some googling, and saw the copper crystals, (which would probably be unsafe for snakes) and wondered if they could be loaded onto a quartz crystal. Or how other forms/colors of crystals would look if doubled, or even tripled up. Set my mind in motion. Haven't had an art project in awhile. Cool stuff... Thanks for sharing-

 

[Symphony_grace]

Grace, is it possible to grow crystals on a natural crystal, to double up?

I actually have no idea. But that truly sounds like a very fun project to try out! But you're right on the copper ones. One of my companions in the corn craziness had a copper crystal in the tank and it suffered skin problems. I highly recommend not to use those but I'm still wondering about alum, salt and vinegar, and epsom salt crystals.

 

[Alli_Draggy]

We've done several different crystal growing experiments in our homeschool this year as part of science, and all of the common ones tend to be really, really fragile and break to powder with very little provocation. They're pretty, but I don't think they'd stand up to a snake crawling over them, and it probably wouldn't be good for the snake to breathe the dust.

--Donna

 

[yojoe05]

I'd look into the Smithsonian crystal growing kits it's random what you get in your packets inside but its usually stuff like Calcite and Garnet which would be harmless after they formed. Also the colors you can acheive are amazing. A nice red Garnet crystal with a lava crawling over it would be stunning.