Incubation Medium Poll:

[jakemyster44]

I am curious as to what you guys are using as your incubation medium, I think it should be interesting to see.

 

[ssscales]

We used perlite this year being our first with a few clutches. Everything hatched great and no complaints.

 

[jakemyster44]

I used vermiculite last season (my first), but I picked up 5lbs of Superhatch at a show. It sounds really great, beacuse you can boil it and reuse it, and the color tells you when to add water... Its a pourus clay medium, that is specifically designed for incubation.

 

[Kristi23]

I used Superhatch for most of my eggs this year.

 

[your gecko guy]

I use perlite. Vermiculite seemed to mold eaiser for me.

 

[jakemyster44]

I didnt have too many issues with vermiculite, but it did start smelling toward the end of the season. I have heard that perlite is better to use, for the reason you stated above. I'm gonna give Superhatch a try... Its reusable and cheap. I bought the 5lb bag for $10 and it fills a 6qt container almos all the way up! It holds its moisture really well too.

 

[fallen_angel]

I don't really have any complaints with Perlite, works great

 

[thestack510]

I use Perlite because it's inexpensive and it works well, though I do have to check the amount of moisture often. I decided to stear clear of Vermiculite because when I was looking into what to use I read that Vermiculite may have asbestos in it, which may cause cancer. I think at this point it depends on how long it has been on the store's shelf, I'm almost sure that the old Vermiculite would have been recalled, but you never know how long it may have been sitting on the shelf. I got enough Perlite for ten dollars to last me for quite a few years. With one mating season under my belt I've hardly touched the huge bag of Perlite. It fills a XXL Ziplock storage bag. I rinse the Perlite to get rid of the dust, then I mix peat moss and Perlite and moisten it just enough so that it doesn't clump together. I have good results thus far.

 

[cj.thomas21]

I like to use perlite.

 

[Hacksaw]

ive been using perlite and to me it just seems 'cleaner' than other incubation mediums..

 

[Wreptile]

Where do you buy Superhatch?

 

[hoppslover]

I used hatchrite. had 100% success with it.

 

[jakemyster44]

I know what you mean by "cleaner". Vermiculit breaks down pretty easily and can be quite dusty. I thing that Superhatch should work really well though.

I got my SuperHatch at a reptile show in Taylor MI. If anyone is farmiliar with pangea reptile... I had Mat bring a bag for me, so I wouldnt have to pay shipping. They sell it on there site http://www.pangeareptile.com/products.htm#hatchrite but lllreptile reptile also sells it. http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/reptile-incubators/-/repashy-superhatch-incubation-media-4-lbs/

 

[SaSobek]

Perlite here 40 grams and then 60 grams water, never a prob

 

[fallen_angel]

Really? that's a ratio I've never heard of before, and it doesn't make things too moist?

 

[Hacksaw]

Perlite here 40 grams and then 60 grams water, never a prob

if you dont mind me asking, what size container are you using this ratio for? using it this way might save me some perlite...

 

[tangerineman]

perlite works like a charm for me.
:main_robin:yeah that ratio ..lol
tried vermiculite but didn't seem to be allowing as much circulation,
although since it did seem to 'stick' to the eggs better i used to rehydrate some eggs that i caught late, and had dented in, but perlite can function same way, just change the ratio...

-Duane

 

[ccb geckos]

we used superhatch last season, loved it. It's easy

 

[cassadaga]

Vermiculite. Completely soaked in water, then wrung clumpy by hand.

 

[Gregg M]

I used to use perlite... Now I do not use a substate at all... I will post pics of my incubation containers in a day or so with "how to" instuctions... Anyway, I use a metal mesh (stainless steel) with legs to keep it above the water level in the container... The mesh is fitted perfectly to the size of the container so hatchlings can not go into the water... The eggs are placed in egg sized indents made in the mesh... This is where they stay until they hatch...

I have seen a huge difference in hatch time averages... You can set your calander on my eggs hatching... The temps in the incubation containers are much more stable and the humidity is consistant... There are no ratios to worry about, no squeezing water out of substrate, no worries about too much or too little humidity, and the hatchlings have no substrate stuck to them at all... So far, at 86 degrees, all eggs have hatched in exactly 42 days from being layed using this method......

Oh, and for those questioning Matts ratio, the deal with perlite is that it does not actually hold humidity or retain moisture... It works more like drainage stones... The water settles at the bottom of the container and the surface of the perlite stays relativily dry which is exactly what you want...