Vermiculite NOT working.

[Wreptile]

I find it very difficult to find the right consistency of vermiculite to use.
All 5 of my eggs have been molded over or dented/dried up after about a week. I'd rather just get rid of it, and try something else.

What is a better solution? I haven't been able to find any perlite (What I would prefer) at any stores. They all are the Miracle Grow Perlite which won't work.

I see some people using dirt, but doesn't that dry up quickly?

 

[Next Level Geckos]

Actaully, I washed the miracle grow perlite before use.....and hatched my first egg with it. But after reading more about it...I changed to shultz (I think its spelled right) and no mold at all.

 

[THE WHISPERER]

You can try to ask the people at your local nursery if they can special order the perlite for you, if not maybe work on getting your vermiculite right. I use it and hardly ever have a problem. I personaly don't know about using dirt. If you decide to keep using vermiculite let me know and I'll help you with my methods.

 

[chrisvanaken]

I use Hatch Rite and have never had a fertile egg go bad. However, I have limited experiences with breeding compared to many of the people on here. Twenty-eight out of twenty-eight isn't to bad, I guess.

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

I'd suggest ordering a big bag of perlite from The Bean Farm. It should last you quite a while.

 

[ajveachster]

I'm an insane internet shopper. I got my perlite from an organic nursery online so I didn't have to worry about the miracle-gro issue.

 

[crotaphytidae]

I know for a fact that Home Depot has perlite in huge bags at the moment, have you tried there?

 

[Redleg]

You have to be CAREFUL when purchasing from nursery or home improvement centers as some perlite/vermiculite contain fertilizers or traces of other chemicals. READ :main_robin: the entire packet and of course....take a wiff of the bag. Not kidding

 

[THE WHISPERER]

After this thread http://www.geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=34400 I don't think I'll be sticking my head in any bag of vermiculite and taking a whiff.:main_no: But I will agree with reading the bag.

 

[sammer021486]

I use super hatch and it is perfect for mixing up. Place it in a strainer, soak it in water for a few minutes. Let it drip dry for a few a while, shake it a bit to make sure all excess water is gone. Place in a container that will seal air tight , then the medium is ready for the eggs.

Super hatch can be bought as Aquatic Plant Soil at some garden and home renovation stores.

 

[Sidviciouser]

I'm a total rookie, but here is my experience with vermiculite (with 18 eggs).

If you have it too dry it will wrinkle your eggs like a raisin and after that they have a high probability of mold.

I have heard a lot of people say that if it's too wet it will mold your eggs. I'm not convinced of this. I have had droplets on the top of my container and the eggs are doing great. But when I setup a second container to the point it did not drip..... I lost two good eggs. I know they were good, because their twin egg was in the other container and they are still thriving.

I'm wondering if a healthy egg will not mold, as long as it's not swimming of course. If you have to use vermiculite I would error on the side of a bit too moist instead of too dry.

Again ROOKIE feedback and I would love to hear others opinions on this theory.

 

[lpcad]

I used hatch rite and my eggs dried out. Maybe I got a bad batch of it, but it didn't work for me.
Now i'm using a 50/50 mix of peat moss and pearlite and it seems to be working well so far. The eggs are doing great.