Substrate help/comparison

[luizNchristine]

I just read on a thread that someone will be trying out Aquatic Pond Soil....

What is the difference between the various types of incubation substrate? Is there a benefit to using soil, such at the Aquatic Pond soil, over the other well know substrates?

I will begin my own breeding starting in January and I want to make sure I have an understanding of the different aspects of substrate/incubators/etc. Thank you all who respond to this and thank you for sharing your knowledge with me and everyone elseon the forum.

Luiz

 

[Stitch]

The main difference is how well it holds moisture. I personally use Vermiculite using Albeys incubating method and it has worked wonders for me. Some people say they have problems with vermiculite others say they have problems with perilite. If you were to try anything when you start breeding I would start out with Hatch Rite. It is supposed to have water already added by the manufacturer. So you would just dump it into the container and close the lid and you are set. I think most people add TOO much water and the eggs mold. Or their container doesn't seal properly and lets out all the moisture. I open my egg containers once a week for literally 4-5 seconds and then close them up. This just lets fresh air in for the ggs to breath. Most breeders will tell you that you'd rather it be a little too dry, then you would too wet.

 

[dprince]

I also use vermiculite, and have had very good success. :main_yes:

 

[paulnj]

I use perlite and every viable egg hatched.

 

[luizNchristine]

What do you all think of the Reptile Carpet? I just bought some and my leos love it. Got rid of all the sand...never going back to it. All of the leos are more active on the reptile carpet rather than the sand.

 

[paulnj]

I had one on it(got him and a cage as rescue) and he loved it. I had 2 pieces and while one was getting used the other was getting cleaned

 

[luizNchristine]

Yeah, I have extra piece cut that way when we're washing those they still have something other than glass to be one while they wait, heh. Its good stuff and wasnt that expensive. I think PetSmart was having it on sale, but for two sheet of the 55 gallon size is 18.95 (i think) regular price. Not bad for something that is washable. ^_^

 

[MooShotty]

I just bought a hova-bator and with it came some vermiculite. Is the vermiculite:water ratio the same as with perlite? 100:80 ?

Also, how much vermiculite should be in each container to incubate?