Few questions about substrateless incubating.

[GPreptiles]

So my female is in pre-lay shed right now, and I figured I will ask a few questions about substrateless incubating method . Here it goes:
1. Is it ok, to use vermiculite or it's bette to use perlite?
2. Why do you cover the top with foil, before putting the cover on the box?
3. How do you prevent the condensation from dropping on the eggs (since it's pretty high humidity inside the box)?

I think that's all for now - thanks in advance .

[Don]

It really doesn't matter if you use Vermiculite or perlite or even a combination of both. I've seen people use pebbles. The purpose of using a medium is to keep the water from splashing onto the eggs when you move the egg box. The most important thing is for it to be clean and free of any chemicals.

Some people seal the container, some don't. It is a preference. I put a top on the containers, but also have a large tub of water in my incubator that gets air circulation to keep the humidity high. If you do seal the container, you will have to allow for some air exchange near the end of incubation.

The condensation should drip down the edges of the egg boxes, rather than on the eggs. If you use any type of seal on top of the box, you do have to watch it carefully to make sure the condensation isn't so great that it drips onto the eggs.

[Cameron Lamb Exotics]

I personally like Vermiculite, perlite seems to dry out a little faster to me. I havnt tried it yet but I heard hatch rite works awesome.

[snake lab]

You get your humidity from your medium. Whether you use vermiculite, perilite, hatch rite, cypress, it all works as long as its done right. Putting water in your incubator in either 2liter bottles or whatever acts as a thermal batterie to keep temps stabilized. For example, i have a walk in incubator. I basically built a walk in closet that is 6 ft wide by 5ft deep by 7ft high. I have a glass door so i can see in my incubator. I also have a number of 5 gallon buckets filled with water with tops on them that act as the thermal batteries this keeps my temp swing down and stabilizes the temps. I used to have open containers with the mindset of it will help with humidity. It doesnt really matter. The humidity is created in your egg box by your medium. I use a space heater as my heat source and a non porportional thermostat. The reason i dont use a proportional stat is cause there isnt any on the market that can handle wattages over 700 without blowin fuses yet. But i am high on the list with jeff at helix for the new dbs 1500 watt helix that should be out in a couple weeks so i will be switching to that soon. Also air flow is important. I have my fan high pointing down against the heat source so it basically plays ping pong in the incubator. I can now keep my temps stable at 89 degrees after a little fine tuning with jeff at helix. Oh by the way he is the man. Anyways i know this has been a long winded response but in short your medium promotes humidity

[Stewart_Reptiles]

1. Is it ok, to use vermiculite or it's bette to use perlite?

Either one is fine

2. Why do you cover the top with foil, before putting the cover on the box?

I never have used anything to seal.

3. How do you prevent the condensation from dropping on the eggs (since it's pretty high humidity inside the box)?

I never had that issue a little condensation may buildup on the sides but should not on the top.

Here is my recipe

(1) 7 quarts Tub
(6) cups of vermiculite
(4) Cups of water
Egg crate

And there you go



Stress free method that works every time.

[GPreptiles]

Alright now I'm prepared Thanks for help .

[SlitherinSisters]

Don't seal the tub with anything but the lid and you will be fine. Using something to seal the container when you are going substrateless is what causes excess condensation.

[GPreptiles]

Yeah, that's what I thought, and that's why I asked . Thanks .