Mixing Perlite

[Wordsmith]

So, I'm currently caliberating my incubator and I finally found a bag of perlite around my town. Anyway, I'm not sure when to expect eggs, but Theta is glowing and refusing to eat so I'm pretty sure they are coming. I've heard that you should get your substrate in the incubator prior to the eggs being laid, so that it'll be the right temp....

My question is, should I already mix the water and perlite and put it in my incubator or will it dry out and then i'll have no idea how much water to add to it. I've only heard that the ratio is 1:1, perlite:water, is there some visual way to tell when the perlite is watered down just right, like with vermiculate?

[Thomas Jones]

I mix mine ahead of time. I keep the lids on the tubs so all the moisture goes back into the tub. Once eggs come i set them in the tubs and keep an eye out for denting. I also keep a cup of water in the incubator in case i need to add it to the tubs it will the same temps.

[twh]

just a reminder the 1:1 ratio of substrate to water is by weight NOT volume,if you did it by volume you would lose eggs.have fun !

[Wordsmith]

Alright that sounds good. I'll mix it up right now and stick it in. Thanks.

P.S. I knew it was to weight. Sorry for not specifying. Thanks for your concern twh.

[Nate]

Just confirming before I do this for the first time...I picked up an 8QT Bag of Perlite today...I just need a bucket, 8 Quarts of water, and mix it up?

[Albey]

Just confirming before I do this for the first time...I picked up an 8QT Bag of Perlite today...I just need a bucket, 8 Quarts of water, and mix it up?

No, if you added 8 quarts of water to 8 quarts of Perlite the Perlite would be floating on top of about 6 quarts of water. LOL You have to do it by weight. If the Perlite weighs 700 grams you would add 700 grams of water to it. I actually think 1/1 is too much water. I use .8/1 instead. Here is a link to how I do my Leopard Gecko eggs. I use the same method for the Ball Python eggs but of course a much bigger egg box.
Incubating Leopard Gecko Eggs

[Nate]

oh dang...i just re-read the post. my goof

[Ginevive]

I don't use a formula. I mix it by hand and by feel. When it clumps just right, I know that I've got it. It is something that I would have to be there to explain right though, or maybe videotape, but I don't have a good filming camera. I mix together perlite and vermiculite. I like the big chunky verm, not the thin powdery stuff; it seems to keep form better and it just feels right to use it. Bigger balls of perlite also; not the teeny crushed stuff.

[Nate]

Thanks Jen...problem is, I don't know what "feels right" or "clumps just right"...

I did the mixture and it seemed to be clumping just a bit. I added 6 ounces of water to 6 ounces of Perlite... 1:1.

My question now is about condensation. I don't see any and none has built up on the shoe box cover or sides. It's been in the incubator for a few hours now. Should I see condensation?

[ShawnT]

Check this video out. Ralph shows how he mixes his vermiculite...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=9F56IuuOGEI