BEST incubation medium for eggs?

Is to much humidity an issue? This next year will be our first and we are looking to use the substrate less method, with a water base and the egg crate, but just want to know if i have 100% humidity would it be an issue

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Originally Posted by danrjc

Is to much humidity an issue? This next year will be our first and we are looking to use the substrate less method, with a water base and the egg crate, but just want to know if i have 100% humidity would it be an issue

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No, ideally you want the humidity as close to 100% WITHOUT condensation dripping on the eggs. But thats ideal. You dont need the humidity that high. Im sure as long as its over like 90% your eggs will hatch fine.
I havent bred yet, i hope to next season, but i will probably go with the substrateless method with just water too. Seems the easiest. After i get breeding down i may venture out an try some other methods just to gain experience with them.

I've tried hatch-rite and hated it, I don't like sealed tubs and figured out quickly hatchrite works in sealed tubs and not so well in tubs that breath since it dries out so easily.
I Used vermiculite under egg crate and it worked fine but was messy.
Switched to perilite under egg crate and love it, clean and holds the water content perfectly.

There is a lot of ways to incubate, all one can do is try different methods until you find one that suits your needs.

I know two people here locally who have extensively bred ball pythons for many years. They are more "old school" and I guess back in the beginning a lot of them learned just from how others were doing things before them locally. They have had good success, and they don't use any substrate at all! They simply put water on the bottom, and hold the eggs above them with a crate similar to those shown in the pics here, but is a little thicker I guess. There is nothing mixed in the water no vermiculite nothing. I never thought this was right as I watch videos and substrate is always used, but they have good success. Anyone do it this way here?

EDIT: I reread the above posts and apparently one person above also does it this way.

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Originally Posted by AGoldReptiles

I use Calcined Clay ( Superhatch). Love it!
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=167333

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I bought some of this and am trying it out. My first attempt was too wet and i had to take some out and add dry. It really only needs a few ounces of water poured in the corner and your good.

Thank you for the answers everyone. This is our first and only clutch this year so we wanna make sure were doing everything right. I think we're gonna try the vermiculite. I'll be measuring mine just in case.

I picked up a 50 lb bag of acrylite. Im good for a long time

I like hatchrite.

I use a 50/50 mix of vermiculite/perlite.

Jason