Incubation medium

[Mungall]

Hi there, im expecting one of my females to lay any day now so im just getting everything sorted.

Just one thing i have to check up on tho, im using perlite for incubation and once i add the water to it (im using 0.8 water to 1 part perlite) it just seems overly wet. I think i just didnt expect it to be such
Is this right?

Thanks

 

[acpart]

How are you adding the water? I get my best result by putting the water in a sprayer (atomizer). I put the container on the scale, add the perlite, calculate the weight and the weight the water should be and then I spray water into the perlite until I get to the correct weight. I never notice any water because it gets evenly distributed in the perlite.

Aliza

 

[Mungall]

Yeah im using a hand sprayer/mister to add the water.
My perlite came to 125g so i added 100g of water.

See if you tipped your container over, would the water pour out? or should the perlite have absorbed the water?

Thanks

 

[acpart]

And you're sure that the 125 grams is perlite alone and not perlite plus the container? I'm mystified. I do this each season and the water seems to disappear except for some droplets at the bottom.

Aliza

 

[Mungall]

Nah, i weigh the container then tare it back to 0g then add my mix.

Do you think i shoud just judge it by myself cause i reckon shes going to lay tonight, this has really got me puzzled :main_huh:

im i right in saying that the perlite should be moist enough that it clumps together but there should be no excess water?

thanks again

 

[acpart]

Nah, i weigh the container then tare it back to 0g then add my mix.

Do you think i shoud just judge it by myself cause i reckon shes going to lay tonight, this has really got me puzzled :main_huh:

im i right in saying that the perlite should be moist enough that it clumps together but there should be no excess water?

thanks again

That's what I think. WHy don't you try "eyeballing" it, then get a hygrometer and stick it in the container to make sure the humidity stays at 80-90%.

Aliza