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Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
#1217813
01/17/12 09:04 PM
01/17/12 09:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259 Harker Heights, TX
baileyr2
OP
Glider Explorer
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OP
Glider Explorer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259
Harker Heights, TX
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Hi everyone, I have been feeding HPW Complete since I got my babies this past October. They eat it fine, but don't always finish (I do give the req. amounts). I've been thinking about switching to BML since I can get everything locally and it seems to be cheaper. I've been trying to weigh pros and cons and here's what I've got:
BML pros: cheaper (seemingly), easily accessible, more regimented (as far as fruits and veggies) BML cons: more regimented (can't decide if I like that or not... haha), smellier from what I've read, more prep work up front
HPW pros: easier/fewer steps, doesn't smell bad HPW cons: seems to be more expensive, shipping/not locally available
Opinions? Am I missing anything? Any personal experience switching?
Also, if I decide to switch, how do I go about that? I know it's rarely a good idea to just switch, so would I feed bml one night, hpw the next for a while, or feed portions of both each night...? Any help/advice/experience is more than welcomed
Rachel Mommy to Dixie Tater Bobby John Lulu Beau Spike and Sophie the hedgies
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1217818
01/17/12 09:11 PM
01/17/12 09:11 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 223 Joppa, Maryland
holelottaRosie
Glider Explorer
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Glider Explorer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 223
Joppa, Maryland
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I have found that the cage and everything in it isn't as sticky with HPW...my gliders love their HPW...bowls are licked clean every night...they didnt do that with BML
Gary Servant to Mia & Rosie Delilah Piper,Phoebe and Paige "The Charmed Ones" My Connie babies Liam & Lilith And Sparrow 3 Kitties Jazzy,Angus and Clyde..We miss you Ashley 1 Adorable Basset Hound Puppy "Zelda The Great" 1 Adorable Wife Celia "The Boss"
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1217834
01/17/12 09:29 PM
01/17/12 09:29 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093 North Central Ohio
GliderNursery
Tech Admn
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Tech Admn
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 20,093
North Central Ohio
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Switching the diet is totally up to you. I choose to feed BML because I can get everything locally AND because there is a specific list of fruits & veggies. To me, its a no brainer diet. I like it, and my gliders eat it. I've never (knock on wood) had sick gliders, so I'm happy with it. I don't have experience with any of the HPW diets, so I can't give you any comparisons. Just to comment, you said you just got your gliders in October. How old are they? Remember that the recommended portions are set for adults; so if you have younger gliders, they may not eat the entire portion. That would be normal for any diet. I usually don't recommend switching diets unless there is a reason to, such as them not eating it. The best diet does not good at all if your gliders won't eat it. Good luck on your decision!
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1217956
01/17/12 11:34 PM
01/17/12 11:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259 Harker Heights, TX
baileyr2
OP
Glider Explorer
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OP
Glider Explorer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259
Harker Heights, TX
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Thanks for the opinions. They are 15ish months and 9 months old. Any others?
Rachel Mommy to Dixie Tater Bobby John Lulu Beau Spike and Sophie the hedgies
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218135
01/18/12 12:54 PM
01/18/12 12:54 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 361 MI
GidgetsMom
Glider Lover
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Glider Lover
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 361
MI
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Hmm, I switched from the HPW Complete (Glider Gravy I got from Pocket Pets) to the HPW diet - High Protein Wombaroo Recipe. I felt comfortable with the switching, and I can tell you this - my gliders WENT NUTS with it! They LOVE it! LOL Although yes, when mixing it in the blender, it is STINKY. But once it's frozen you don't smell it anymore.
Jen Mommy to girls Gidget, Gizmo and our new additions Guinness & Genevieve
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: GidgetsMom]
#1218272
01/18/12 06:49 PM
01/18/12 06:49 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259 Harker Heights, TX
baileyr2
OP
Glider Explorer
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OP
Glider Explorer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259
Harker Heights, TX
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Hmm, I switched from the HPW Complete (Glider Gravy I got from Pocket Pets) to the HPW diet - High Protein Wombaroo Recipe. I felt comfortable with the switching, and I can tell you this - my gliders WENT NUTS with it! They LOVE it! LOL Although yes, when mixing it in the blender, it is STINKY. But once it's frozen you don't smell it anymore. Jen, do you mean you switched to BML or HPW?
Rachel Mommy to Dixie Tater Bobby John Lulu Beau Spike and Sophie the hedgies
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218290
01/18/12 08:02 PM
01/18/12 08:02 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 573 New York
IndieAndStella
Glider Lover
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Glider Lover
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 573
New York
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my girls get BML, and they love it. they even make the happy noises some nights. the smell isnt appetizing but i dont find it to be as bad as some people, i guess. i chose it because i could get all the ingredients when i go food shopping for myself, and its pretty easy to make. but, i switched my girls when i first got them from a pellet and fruit/veggie diet so i have no opinions on HPW....but i think if you do choose to switch, sooner is better than later, right? :0)
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218337
01/18/12 10:32 PM
01/18/12 10:32 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 361 MI
GidgetsMom
Glider Lover
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Glider Lover
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 361
MI
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No, I just went from the HPW Complete to the HPW Original. LOL I guess that probably doesn't help you much.
Jen Mommy to girls Gidget, Gizmo and our new additions Guinness & Genevieve
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218366
01/18/12 11:17 PM
01/18/12 11:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669 niagara falls,ny
ihana1894
Glider Guardian
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Glider Guardian
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669
niagara falls,ny
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Sometimes I find that the BML will smell bad if you over cook an egg, but that's just about it. Baby food doesn't smell that bad. I am switching from BML to HPW because I find it cheaper and more convenient. However I have also fed the BML diet for 7 years to my gliders and after a year there fur started to stain, after eliminating every factor I have concluded that it was caused by there diet which was fed properly. I will soon post the before and after pictures of my gliders from switching diets, there fur is noticeably "greyer", shinier and silky to the touch. This is only my personal experience with the two diets and is not a bash on BML, for I have never had any medical issues while feeding this diet, just fur staining.
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: ihana1894]
#1218376
01/18/12 11:27 PM
01/18/12 11:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259 Harker Heights, TX
baileyr2
OP
Glider Explorer
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OP
Glider Explorer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259
Harker Heights, TX
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Sometimes I find that the BML will smell bad if you over cook an egg, but that's just about it. Baby food doesn't smell that bad. I am switching from BML to HPW because I find it cheaper and more convenient. However I have also fed the BML diet for 7 years to my gliders and after a year there fur started to stain, after eliminating every factor I have concluded that it was caused by there diet which was fed properly. I will soon post the before and after pictures of my gliders from switching diets, there fur is noticeably "greyer", shinier and silky to the touch. This is only my personal experience with the two diets and is not a bash on BML, for I have never had any medical issues while feeding this diet, just fur staining. Hmm, that is one thing I worried about. When you say that the HPW is cheaper, would you mind giving any specifics (ie how much a month's worth/week's worth or whatever each costs roughly)? Also, when you say their fur was stained, was it also cracking? Theirs hasn't improved yet, and they've been on HPW since October (they were previously on pellets at their old homes). I dunno. I feel like it's no problem when it's me, but when it's someone else (yes my babies are people ) it's so much harder.
Rachel Mommy to Dixie Tater Bobby John Lulu Beau Spike and Sophie the hedgies
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218480
01/19/12 08:38 AM
01/19/12 08:38 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669 niagara falls,ny
ihana1894
Glider Guardian
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Glider Guardian
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669
niagara falls,ny
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Maybe its just my gliders then, My male has over active scent glands so maybe this is what contributed to it. but since I have switched to HPW his fur has become cleaner also. There fur is like silk now with no cracking. I buy all my fruits and vegetables fresh for the mixture, I know you can buy them frozen so maybe if that's what you do than it is cheaper, but buying fruit all month get expensive.
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218498
01/19/12 10:03 AM
01/19/12 10:03 AM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 573 New York
IndieAndStella
Glider Lover
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Glider Lover
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 573
New York
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my girls fur shows signs of cracking, and i THINK what is slight staining...but thats probably my fault because i like to let them lick BML off my fingers when theyre in their pouch or hanging ball pit/sack thingy. ive been cleaning out their little half-moons of chewed up food immediately now, and its gotten much better. the cracking improves when ive had the humidifier on...so...maybe not related to BML at all, and not a helpful comment, lol. sorry. i think staining can also be the result of dirty pouches...how often do you change them in their cage?
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218514
01/19/12 10:26 AM
01/19/12 10:26 AM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669 niagara falls,ny
ihana1894
Glider Guardian
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Glider Guardian
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669
niagara falls,ny
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Every three days I change there pouch and it is still clean when i change it. I have ruled out every other possibility over the year now and the diet is the last thing left. It is definitely the BML diet that has stained there fur because I have had no improvements until switched there diet
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218545
01/19/12 11:41 AM
01/19/12 11:41 AM
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 577 Sykesville, MD
GliderMeCrazy
Glider Lover
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Glider Lover
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 577
Sykesville, MD
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I have used BML for many years. I've been a glider mom for over 15 years and I'd say more than half of that I've used the BML diet. The times I didn't use BML was when I didn't know about the diet (Pre glider central) or for the past year to two years. I used the HPW original for awhile but I didn't like that I had to order things online and pay for shipping and it ended up costing a good bit of money. Then HPW Complete came out and I loved it. I have been doing a lot of thinking and I never had a single issue with BML over the years and I went back to that. I still have the HPW Complete but that's going to be for emergencies or for if I travel. In all honesty the price for the complete and the bml is pretty even. The BML is more messy, if you don't use a kitchen it will make your bars a little harder to clean but nothing major. Both diets are great. BML has been a solid diet for gliders for a long time HPW Plus and Complete has not been used as long but so far seems to be a wonderful diet for glider owners. Also, please keep in mind that fur staining isn't always from diet. When you have intact males in the cage you can't be sure if the staining is from diet or from the male marking. My boy is a heavy marker and his wife is a lue.. who at times seems to be a little more yellow than white. I change my fleece once and week and wash the cage down twice a week. If you are changing your fleece too often or cleaning your cage too often you male might over mark because of that. Cracked fur could also be because of the humidity levels or lack there of in the winter time. If there is a concern with over staining and cracked fur and you are not sure if it's diet related.. take your gliders to a vet.
Erin Bentley, Taybee, Loki & Jinx! Jenna & Suge. We had a wonderful 13 years together! I miss you always and will never forget you.
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218574
01/19/12 01:16 PM
01/19/12 01:16 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669 niagara falls,ny
ihana1894
Glider Guardian
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Glider Guardian
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669
niagara falls,ny
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he has been to the vet and the vet told me it was over active glands. he said there was no harm in it, my boy just has a little to much testotorone. he reccomended the diet change the last time i went since we ruled eveything else out. and so far it has helped. BML is very messy and its a great diet but it caused extra staining. thats all im saying.
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: ihana1894]
#1218720
01/19/12 07:41 PM
01/19/12 07:41 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259 Harker Heights, TX
baileyr2
OP
Glider Explorer
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OP
Glider Explorer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259
Harker Heights, TX
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he has been to the vet and the vet told me it was over active glands. he said there was no harm in it, my boy just has a little to much testotorone. he reccomended the diet change the last time i went since we ruled eveything else out. and so far it has helped. BML is very messy and its a great diet but it caused extra staining. thats all im saying. That's what my vet told me as well (about the cracked fur). Could being an intact male contribute to that? He's only been neutered for three weeks, so if the testosterone was contributing, maybe it will go away in a little while. As far as cleaning, I only clean pouches 1x a week and they don't smell. All these opinions have been great and helpful! If I do decide to switch, how would I do that? Thanks.
Rachel Mommy to Dixie Tater Bobby John Lulu Beau Spike and Sophie the hedgies
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218725
01/19/12 08:46 PM
01/19/12 08:46 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 579 Artie, WV
Angellica
Glider Lover
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Glider Lover
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 579
Artie, WV
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When I had meeko I fed him the BML diet and he loved it the only thing with it is making it but it's not that hard.. I got my girls on the HPW complete it's easier than the BML to make but cost more... It really depends on your gliders which would be better you may want to give them a little of both diets in different bowls one night because you have to do it like that anyways to switch it and see which one they like more.
Angellica :DD 9 wonderful suggies Meeka,Ivory Dazzle, Dervish Larten,Athena Domino Hodge, Lyla Min Pin: Rebel Cat: Blazer Pig: Charlotte Webb. <3
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1218750
01/19/12 09:43 PM
01/19/12 09:43 PM
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ZoeandZola
Unregistered
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ZoeandZola
Unregistered
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I feed the BML to my girls. It is not hard to mix at all just put it all in the blender and freeze. They eat in a glider kitchen so I dont worry about the mess. Veggies and fruits are easy because you know exactly what to feed. I believe you will be able to switch right over to the BML mix but I will do some research and see what others say about changing diets and how. Keep in mind that if they dont eat it right away it doesn't mean they dont like it. Its just new and they will need some time.
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1219254
01/20/12 07:35 PM
01/20/12 07:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259 Harker Heights, TX
baileyr2
OP
Glider Explorer
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OP
Glider Explorer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259
Harker Heights, TX
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In my experience, it's always best to transition them onto the new food but I guess what I'm wondering is do I do it the same way I would with my dog or hedgies (25% new week one, 50% week two, etc) or if there's a different way for gliders.
Rachel Mommy to Dixie Tater Bobby John Lulu Beau Spike and Sophie the hedgies
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1219277
01/20/12 08:10 PM
01/20/12 08:10 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669 niagara falls,ny
ihana1894
Glider Guardian
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Glider Guardian
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 669
niagara falls,ny
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You can just switch it in one night. I was told that it was alright to do this because they adjust very well. This is what I did when I switched from BML to HPW and I had no problems.
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: ihana1894]
#1219664
01/21/12 07:52 PM
01/21/12 07:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259 Harker Heights, TX
baileyr2
OP
Glider Explorer
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OP
Glider Explorer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259
Harker Heights, TX
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You can just switch it in one night. I was told that it was alright to do this because they adjust very well. This is what I did when I switched from BML to HPW and I had no problems. Thanks. Any other opinions?
Rachel Mommy to Dixie Tater Bobby John Lulu Beau Spike and Sophie the hedgies
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Re: Thinking about switching from HPW Complete to BML
[Re: baileyr2]
#1220368
01/23/12 07:39 PM
01/23/12 07:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259 Harker Heights, TX
baileyr2
OP
Glider Explorer
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OP
Glider Explorer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 259
Harker Heights, TX
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Thanks guys. I've got lots to think about
Rachel Mommy to Dixie Tater Bobby John Lulu Beau Spike and Sophie the hedgies
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