incubation media?

the perfect condition for an egg is to be in 100% humidity without getting wet.
some breeders who use substrate continues to use it. if it works, why change it.
I use a light diffuser, water, and press n seal with my 6 or 12 quart tub with lid depending on the clutch size. I use to use perlite in the water so when I check on the eggs, they didn't get splash with a little water. I now just use distilled water. I also use plastic spoons and I break off the handle and use them as stops so my loose eggs don't roll. I stick the handles into the diffuser.
the big advantage with the light grid is the eggs are not in anything thats close to being wet. less chance for errors, more so with someone new at it.
I place the press n seal on the tub and then place the lid over that. helps keeping the press n seal from lifting.
I check my eggs weekly which lets fresh air in. the last 10 to 14 days, I remove the lid and peel a corner of the press n seal back to make a very small air hole.
this works well in keeping the eggs from caving in, very easy, no guesting if the media is too wet too dry or needs water added later.

This

http://stewartreptiles.com/wordpress...breeding02.jpg

My recipe is simple and has NEVER failed me (not too dry and not to wet to the point that condensation forms on the top and drip on the eggs throughout incubation)

I use

a 7 quarts tub
6 cups of vermiculite
4 cups of water

I put the egg in and don't mess with them until one week before hatching, than I open the egg box to air the eggs out and to wipe condensation that becomes heavy during the last week of incubation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Deborah

This

http://stewartreptiles.com/wordpress...breeding02.jpg

My recipe is simple and has NEVER failed me (not too dry and not to wet to the point that condensation forms on the top and drip on the eggs throughout incubation)

I use

a 7 quarts tub
6 cups of vermiculite
4 cups of water

I put the egg in and don't mess with them until one week before hatching, than I open the egg box to air the eggs out and to wipe condensation that becomes heavy during the last week of incubation.

---

do you use press and seal??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ridinandreptiles

do you use press and seal??

---

I do not, never have either.

The incubator I own has auto humidity control hopefully as long as it starts with enough thermal mass and enough start water the unit should replenish what is lost to evaporation. At least that is the idea I have read a few instructions and I think I am going with super hatch as I can get it easily and it has thermal mass that should help with any variations in temps. I really appreciate the comments and ideas, I like the crate method a lot it makes a lot of sense for a larger incubator than mine. If everything goes well and I find myself with more time I will likely build a larger one and use this method. Again, Thanks !!

We have been using hatchrite the last couple of years because we got it free at a reptile show. We have also used vermiculite in the past. Both have worked well.