Any body used Perlite before as a hatch medium?

I saw some on sale at Wal Mart today, and I thought it might be a little "cleaner" since it's white. Was wondering if anybody ever used it, and had success with it. I was thinkin about buyin a couple bags, but decided against it until I checked with m'peeps.;)

It is all I use. I have never had a problem with it, but I have heard of a lot more eggs going bad while using perlite. I believe it is a little harder to get the water/perlite ratios right without over soaking or drying out the eggs.

I always moisten mine to a point where you can squeeze it and it packs together and no moisture comes out, but it crumbles with little effort.

Good luck with it.

Its all I use and its great stuff.................. just make sure you get the stuff without the fertilizer................ I use it with grates over it to keep moisture in the bin..........

I used to use it but it was a crappy medium. Now i use Calcined Clay. Its used for bonzai tree soil and it holds water better then anything.

To make Calcined clay they take crushed up clay pots and refire them at 1800 degrees. This creates a more porous material. Untill something better comes along im sticking with it. Its hands down the best hatching medium i've ever used.

I get my calcined clay from here
http://www.dallasbonsai.com/store/calcined_clay.html

I used it this year, after visiting Albey and asking what he used. I'm on my second clutch that's in the incubator and I mix it like this:

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I always moisten mine to a point where you can squeeze it and it packs together and no moisture comes out, but it crumbles with little effort.

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Be very careful of what's at Walmart - I haven't found any there without Miracle Grow added to it, you do NOT want anything with Miracle Grow - might work well for plants, not so good for snakes! LOL

I don't use a grate, and I just checked last night after 20 days of incubation on the current clutch, the eggs are not dimpled nor are they wet. I purchased 4 cubic feet (enough to last ME a lifetime) from my local nursery for $25

i also use it for substrateless incubation

Thanks guys! preciate it! And yes, Robin, I went back to Wal-MArt, and evrything had miracle gro in it. :( I will be seeking a local nursery.....

I use 3 parts medium grade vermiculite mixed with 1 part perlite. It works well for me.

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Originally Posted by wRobio

It is all I use. I have never had a problem with it, but I have heard of a lot more eggs going bad while using perlite. I believe it is a little harder to get the water/perlite ratios right without over soaking or drying out the eggs.

I always moisten mine to a point where you can squeeze it and it packs together and no moisture comes out, but it crumbles with little effort.

Good luck with it.

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With perlite I like to use a piece of egg crate cut to the size of the tub.. Lay the piece on top of the moistened perlite, and put your eggs on the piece of egg crate... Your eggs get their humidity, and never touch the medium... You dont even have to squeeze out water...

I got a 20lb bag of perlite with no additives at a local home depot for $17. It is lasting me quite a while.