hummm... *dent* what to do

[eric]

Exactly. Some eggs - even ones that are fertile - are just not meant to hatch. We're dealing with living creatures, here. Life isn't controllable. Though we may have some ways to attempt to control the outcomes of our breeding projects, we don't truly control *anything.* Not really. We can only do the best we can with what we have, learn from our successes and well as failures, and move on.

Debbie I love you!:main_thumbsup:

 

[MXWreptile]

Same here,

all eggs started to dent too. And we tried many different substrates and ratios, but we never came over 70-75% of humidity. And after searching in books, you need a minimum of 90% of humidity for incubating eggs without substrate.

Now we switched back to the "classic" way of incubation, until we find a solution.



Max

 

[Deko Gecko]

just dig eggs! about 75% in the medium used! and check ventilation on the egg container! humidity level drops with ventilation is alowed.

 

[MXWreptile]

I'm talking about the SIM container.


Max

 

[Gregg M]

I am not sure what to say other than if you are not getting your humidity up over 70 to 75% in a tightly closed container, your substrate ratios must be really off...

 

[MXWreptile]

Hi Gregg,

I tested:

Moist Cocofiber
Perlite 1:0,8
Perlite 1:1
Perlite with water, so it can't slosh around
Perlite 1:1,2
Perlite/Vermiculite (50/50) 1:1,2 / 1:1,4
Vermiculite normal ratio
Pure Water

Temperature was always 80,6.

And I don't get more then 70% of humidity. All eggs tend to dent.

Do you have another substrate idea Gregg?


Max

 

[MXWreptile]

infertile.

I had issues in the beginning due to below the fill line and substrate too dry. I am running mine to the fill with 50/50 perlite/ vermiculite(didn't have enough of either to fill it) and the sub:water is roughly 1:1.2. condensation is roughly 1 inch above the grid.

Hi Paul,

I set up today a SIM container with your ratios, and put it at 80.6. I have 71% humidity. What humidity level do you have and at which temperature?


Max

 

[paulnj]

I do not know my humidity level and have no desire to own a hydrometer unless someone want to buy me one

I just know that my eggs are hatching in a SIM just as well as they do the conventional way. My next clutch laid is going to be split up .. 1 egg conventional, 1 egg SIM.

I have just switched to vermiculite overly saturated and water mostly drained off. Being as I have 4 SIM and the ability to produce 1500 offspring IF I CHOSE TO, I can test different ways quite easily this season and get back to JOHN and GREGG with my findings.

 

[paulnj]

88 degrees currently. no females yet.

 

[Gregg M]

John and myself are still forulating a substrate... Tonight will be the final humidity test on one of our substrate mixures... If the humidity levels are as stable tonight as they have been, we will be offering a premixed and dry version of the substrate to make things even easier...

Everyone needs to remember that John and myself can be contacted between 8 am and 9 pm 7 days a week...

Our numbers are on our site but just in case I will post them here...

Gregg
1-347-898-8728

John
1-917-741-2019

 

[Imperial Geckos]

John and myself are still forulating a substrate... Tonight will be the final humidity test on one of our substrate mixures... If the humidity levels are as stable tonight as they have been, we will be offering a premixed and dry version of the substrate to make things even easier...

Everyone needs to remember that John and myself can be contacted between 8 am and 9 pm 7 days a week...

Our numbers are on our site but just in case I will post them here...

Gregg
1-347-898-8728

John
1-917-741-2019

This sounds like a GREAT idea :main_thumbsup::main_thumbsup:

 

[acpart]

My current substrate situation:
I started with perlite and water 1:1, got dented, moldy eggs and worried that the humidity was too high, so I uncovered the SIM for a day (without eggs) to let some evaporate. After reading everyithing here, I added about 2 cups of water to the perlite. My cheap Zoomed hygrometer says the humidity is 90% and there is condensation all the way up the sides near the eggs. They are slightly dented, but staying stable. Time will tell.

Aliza

 

[Johnantny]

These SIM egg dent issues, please post your incubator- model please, folks. I am using a converted mini fridge and no dents in my eggs. The heat comes from 11" heat tape coiled at the bottom of the fridge, rising to the 1st shelf its 86F, second shelf 84F. My substrate is drenched perlite. I am breeding dwarf monitors exclusively.

John

 

[acpart]

These SIM egg dent issues, please post your incubator- model please, folks. I am using a converted mini fridge and no dents in my eggs. The heat comes from 11" heat tape coiled at the bottom of the fridge, rising to the 1st shelf its 86F, second shelf 84F. My substrate is drenched perlite. I am breeding dwarf monitors exclusively.

John

I'm using the Reptipro5000, set to 86 but I have the probe of a digital thermometer inside the SIM (and the thermometer is inside the reptipro) reading at abouta 82.4 which is exactly where I want it.

Aliza

 

[MXWreptile]

Hello folks,

I think I found a little part of the problem:

All my SIM's were set up in a Hovabator, where the heat comes from above. It can't heat the substrate as good, because the SIM's are pretty big and ventilation is not provided, because there is no aerator. I mensurated the temperature at the bottom, and it was nearly 1 Fahrenheit lower. So substrate is also 1 Fahrenheit colder.

Today we finish our proffessional incubator, which is 0,1 accurate. The heat is 100% constant. It comes from the whole sides and not only from above. So the substrate can heat up the whole way. And can condensate better.

My other theory is, that the water doesn't condensate as much at low temperatures.


I will put them in there today, and test if it helps, if heat is provided from all sides. And I will do this at 80.6 (female temperature) and at 87.8 (male temperature).


The mixture I use in this SIM is:

50/50 Perlite/Vermiculate

1:1,4 water ratio



Max

 

[MXWreptile]

I turned the Hovabator up to 87.8 and humidity is lower then before, only 67%.

@Gregg

Shall I make it moister? Or how can I reach higher humidity?


Max

 

[sk8ergrl927]

John and myself are still forulating a substrate... Tonight will be the final humidity test on one of our substrate mixures... If the humidity levels are as stable tonight as they have been, we will be offering a premixed and dry version of the substrate to make things even easier...

Everyone needs to remember that John and myself can be contacted between 8 am and 9 pm 7 days a week...

Our numbers are on our site but just in case I will post them here...

Gregg
1-347-898-8728

John
1-917-741-2019

I CAN TORTURE JOHN TOO NOW!?!?!?!

 

[Johnantny]

Max, let me know how the new incubator works for you. I believe your test to be true. Hovabators were built to hatch chicken eggs, not reptiles. The heat from above mimics the hen's abdomen heat.

The reptipro incubator cannot be muted; i.e. turn fan off. The fan circulates the warmed air. I am going to temp gun my sim in the reptipro to see what temps are below and above the sim.

 

[MXWreptile]

Update:

At 87.8 in hovabator:

-highest humidity level 72% with Perlite 1:1
-condensation on all sides up to the grid, but not above the grid

I will test the SIM in my new incubator for two days, and will post results here.


I think this thread is a great way to discuss the exact humidity level in the SIM. So guys please keep the discussion going, because I think it helps everyone who owns a SIM.:main_thumbsup:



Max

 

[Deko Gecko]

Just put water inside the incubator! on the floor.... ?! that could help! i hope.......