Incubation Material

Alright.

I have always used Vermiculite sucessfully over the past years, and have a question:

do you think it matters as to the granule size?

Some people like the "glitter grade", some people like the larger size. I have recently come across a vendor that sells granules larger than "normal" and also granules that are much smaller.

I have tested out my incubation with both, and have found that the larger sizes do not hold as much water, nor does it clump.

The smaller type is almost like sand. Holds water almost too well.

I will post photos up soon of said granules, but my question is this:

Do you think it is that critical (or any variation to incubation) as to the size of the granules of ANY substrate that you use for incubation?

Have any of you tested different sizes of granules with any success? Different than the norm incubation substrate (not maternal, but artificial)...

I n my personal opinion, the larger the granual the better (this is assuming that you are not placing your eggs on top of grating that rests on the substrate). The reason that I believe the larger granuals are better, is it gives space inbetween the particles in the substrate for air to move, which helps to prevent mold and eggs that may get too wet.

Here are the photos I promised. I do not have dry photos of the "Standard" grade of granules I usually come across in most reptile stores and so forth, as I used up my last bag.

Here is the Standard size:

Wet
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...h/P1040587.jpg

Here is the Small size:

Wet
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...h/P1040590.jpg

Dry
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...h/P1040592.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...h/P1040593.jpg

Here is the Large size:

Dry

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...h/P1040594.jpg
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...h/P1040595.jpg

I have heard bigger chips are better because they allow more air to flow, as Tim said.