best egg incubation substrate

[gage]

is perlite better than vermiculite or vermiculite better then perlite and also how much humidity does it need is there a formula

 

[shadowx362]

both are good. People use both including high end breeders. you dont measure by humidity you use a scale to weigh the medium then you add .8 of that weight in water. so it is 1:.8 ratio but you could also use 1.1 ratio if you want to be simpler.

 

[cassadaga]

I've had great success with vermiculite through three seasons, and now on my fourth. With vermiculite, just get it wet enough to float, then squeeze all the water out in your fist until it kind of clumps together. I'm also considering using hatch rite soon, as it's supposed to be pre-hydrated.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Perlite For Me

I'm not sure where the ratio of water to hatch material came from.....except Albey's for perlite. Its .8 X weight of perlite for water. Although I do not use vermiculite with geckos I am aware of the product(from calling the manufacturer of both) ......Since vermiculite Holds water and perlite allows drainage and humidity to the air of the egg container....I keep imagining that at the same ratio the one in vermiculite would seem to be setting in a puddle all the time. In my mind, not real good. But that's just my opinion.....the perlite seems to be a no brainor for "set it and forget it" hatching...
T.C. HJ

 

[goReptiles]

I've used both with equal success.

 

[Kristi23]

I'm new to this, but I've been using vermiculite. I just started using superhatch for my most recent clutch & it's seems to be good so far, too. I like being able to see if it's too dry by the color change.

 

[Halley]

i use perlite. I mix 6 parts perlite, with 4 parts water. I think perlite is the best, because, it allows the humidity to stay where it is suppose to, while not having the egss sit in the water, because it is allowed to go down to the bottom of the cup.

 

[Halley]

Oh, yeah, that is by weight, no volume

 

[fallen_angel]

the perlite seems to be a no brainor for "set it and forget it" hatching...

I definitely agree on this!!!! I haven't ever tried vermiculite simply because of this exact reason :main_yes:

 

[gage]

thanks im pretty sure i will be useing perlite when i breed my geckos

 

[fallen_angel]

Forgot to mention, but here is Albey's how to incubate page that will give you step-by-step instructions