Setting up a moist hide

[nokturnal305]

Quick question. First actually.

Can I use vermiculite / hatchrite for my leos moist hide?
My concern is impaction and whether or not I can continue using the hatchrite or I should go get something else.
Answers are highly appreciated.
Thanks!:main_huh:

 

[SC Geckos]

I would recommend something like peat moss or coco fiber. It holds moisture very well. Vermiculite is used by some keepers but I have never heard of anyone using hatchrite in a hide box.

 

[nokturnal305]

Thats what Im thinking but Im tight on $. But personally these guys are more important to me than that. If I can continue using it right now I will and change it later, if not then Ill go and get the moss.

The female laid her first egg a month and a half ago and I didnt find out until like a week later and it was basically infused to the cardboard (I didnt have a moist hide box at the time). She laid another egg a week and a half ago, I still didnt have the hide but saw the egg the day it was laid and tried to incubate it. It went bad after a week because the male kicked the egg over but I still tried.

Anyway, this is my second time around and Im crazy anticipating the next egg and hoping I have better luck this time around.

P.S. I adopted these from someone who was about to let them go into the wild, here in New York. Probably 0% chance of survival.

Any help is awesome. Thanks guys & gals!

 

[nokturnal305]

***STATUS UPDATE***
As soon as I gave her a moist hide she surprised me with a new egg this morning. I had to move quick so I ghetto rigged this.

The temps staying at 70 - 72 I'm trying to raise it to 75 and keep it that way.
Great start to my day lol

 

[pandyana]

I was told to stay away from coco fiber and my geckos won't go in the hides if i put the moss in it. They absolutely hate it. One of my males I am using paper towel with right now and change it out every other time i wet it but the other i am using a microfiber cloth with as it has no loops for them to get their toes stuck in. Seems to hold the moisture pretty well and they are anti-mold. I wash them once a week or so anyway.

Is this ok or should I maybe try something else? the girls are pretty picky.

 

[SC Geckos]

The temps staying at 70 - 72 I'm trying to raise it to 75 and keep it that way.
Great start to my day lol

A little late for me to respond to this but you need to keep the leo eggs around 80 - 90 degrees. Higher than 95 or lower than 75 degrees for 24 hours or more will kill the embryo in most cases.

I was told to stay away from coco fiber

Who ever told you this was misinformed. Coco fiber works great for lay boxes/humid hides. Some people use it to incubate eggs as well. I have used coco fiber in hide/lay boxes for.... around ten years without a single issue. However I have personally never used it to incubate eggs in.

 

[pandyana]

I would think the coco fiber would be a bit rough. I don't know what it is or if my geckos are spoiled with the soft micro fiber cloth but they won't go in there if I switch it out. Tried the moss and they took one smell, stuck their heads in and refused to go in lol. :main_laugh:

I might have to try the coco fiber. Does it hold moisture fairly well? the cloths are drying so quickly i have to constantly put water in there usually every other day.

 

[SC Geckos]

I would think the coco fiber would be a bit rough. I don't know what it is or if my geckos are spoiled with the soft micro fiber cloth but they won't go in there if I switch it out. Tried the moss and they took one smell, stuck their heads in and refused to go in lol.

I might have to try the coco fiber. Does it hold moisture fairly well? the cloths are drying so quickly i have to constantly put water in there usually every other day.

Rough?? You must have it confused with a different product. Coco fiber or eco earth comes in a compressed brick or in a bag and has the consistency of potting soil. It is very soft and is great at holding moisture. My hide boxes will stay moist for at least a week (depending on how much I use).

 

[pandyana]

I used coco fiber with my anoles but was told not to use it with my geckos because of the chance they might eat it when they catch food or eat their skin. I guess in the way of food I don't have to worry about that to much now that I don't feed them crix to much anymore

 

[SC Geckos]

My geckos do eat a bit of it by mistake when shedding but it passes right through without issue. I have never had or heard of a single issue with a healthy gecko having an issue with coco fiber.
If the micro fiber cloth is working for you and the gecko is comfortable, Then there is no reason to change. The only thing I would hesitate about would be bacteria growing on the cloth but as long as it is kept clean I dont see an issue.

 

[pandyana]

The cloth is working ok just wish I could get them to use something that holds moisture longer lol

Call me crazy but i won't use tap water for my geckos so I buy it in 5 gallon jugs and that's all i use with them.

 

[SC Geckos]

Call me crazy but i won't use tap water for my geckos so I buy it in 5 gallon jugs and that's all i use with them.

I use bottled water. If I don't drink the water out of the sink I don't expect my animals to. lol!