Substrateless Method of Incubation

The substrateless method is just too easy, I wouldn't do it any other way, even with my high dollar clutches...
There's really no need for seal a meal on a substrateless tub set up, the humidity level is easy to reach without it, and with it you have to worry about mold build up.
We switched from vermiculite to perilite mostly because it's cleaner, I like it a lot better than vermiculite.

vermiculite and a light diffuser is what i use.

This is what I do, super easy! I used hatchrite because I had some left over from last year when I tried putting the eggs directly on it-I won't do that again. You can find some perlite locally rather than use hatchrite, just make sure it doesn't have any fertilizer in it. You don't need to use press 'n seal if you are going substrateless.
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t...ding/001-3.jpg

I wouldn't use any other method either.. Look at this pic. I use cross stitch plastic canvas under the light diffuser grate as well. (it's easy to cut with scissors and only about $.60 per sheet at craft stores) It allows you to completely drench the hatchrite so there is absolutely NO fear of it drying out during the entire incubation time and the light diffuser grate will not sink in it under the weight of the eggs!!

I started doing this when I had the problem of the light diffuser grate sinking a little if the hatchrite was too wet. If it was too dry, I needed to add water throughout the incubation time.. Presto! Solved that problem completely.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...s/IMG_2407.jpg

I also do not use GLAD press n seal. Never have. I just use the snap on lids that came with my boxes. My method of substrateless with extra deep hatchrite very well drenched, cross stitch plastic canvas, and then the light diffuser grate, all insure that my humidity is 100%.

Plus my incubator has the heat source coming from below instead of the sides and my egg boxes are above the heat source. This is best to insure that the humidity stays constant in the egg boxes.

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

I wouldn't use any other method either.. Look at this pic. I use cross stitch plastic canvas under the light diffuser grate as well. (it's easy to cut with scissors and only about $.60 per sheet at craft stores) It allows you to completely drench the hatchrite so there is absolutely NO fear of it drying out during the entire incubation time and the light diffuser grate will not sink in it under the weight of the eggs!!

I started doing this when I had the problem of the light diffuser grate sinking a little if the hatchrite was too wet. If it was too dry, I needed to add water throughout the incubation time.. Presto! Solved that problem completely.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l2...s/IMG_2407.jpg

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OOOOOO OOOOOOO i like that idea! i use vermiculite and the light defuser, but now ill be adding this stuff your talking about!
thanks
spooky

no one does just water? why not?

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Originally Posted by Tidus10

no one does just water? why not?

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You can but it sloshes about and gets the eggs wet when you move the tubs around.
I use perilite and add water until the water touches the bottom of the light diffuser piece and that's it.
I never have to add water to the tub again throughout the incubation period.

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Originally Posted by snakesRkewl

You can but it sloshes about and gets the eggs wet when you move the tubs around.
I use perilite and add water until the water touches the bottom of the light diffuser piece and that's it.
I never have to add water to the tub again throughout the incubation period.

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AHH, so the perlite is kinda a defuser of the water so it doesnt slosh? also how much does a tub of water/perlite/eggs weigh? i feel like i got a lady thats gonna pop soon and i still need to finish the incubator more and get this stuff going

I use substrateless incubation.
I put the water catch tray in the bottom of my Hovabator, then put in the enclosed screen. Over that, I place a piece of fluorescent light grid, cut to fit. Water goes in the tray, and eggs sit on top of the grid. I can add more water if necessary during incubation.

Hatch rates are great, and the hatchlings don't come out with vermiculite adhered to them.

I don't worry about water sloshing, because I don't move the incubator once it's set up.