Incubation substrate, what do you use and why?

Cool I love seeing this. its a huge question I have being an aspiring breeder. Thanks to all of you for the input it helps a lot. What do you use as far as containing the eggs during incubation? Is it just like a tote with a sealable lid or what?

We use perilite, water and light diffuser piece, so simple.

I tried hatchrite, it dries out as mentioned, tried vermiculite and it's a bit messy but loved the perilite after using it last season, so that's what we'll stick to.

Our egg tubs are sterilite 7qt locking lid tubs.

for the price of one bag of hatchrite i can buy a huge 5cu ft bag of perlite and just add water.

I cant justify spending 10$ for a small bag of hatchrite that will do like 2 clutches at most, and Still have to add water. Save your money and buy a big bag of perlite and add water and do hundreds of clutches

This is one of those threads where wharever each person uses is the best. With that said i use vermiculite like ive been using for 15 years cause it works and theres no reason to change.

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Originally Posted by snake lab

This is one of those threads where wharever each person uses is the best. With that said i use vermiculite like ive been using for 15 years cause it works and theres no reason to change.

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But would you buy a small $10 bag of perlite with water crystals in it from hatchrite of pay $10 for a huge bag that can incubate 100+ clutches.

Now if you only have 1-3 clutches a year then hatchrite mite be fine so you dont have to store a large bag for al ong time.

Good point rich. Didnt think of it that way. Let me rephrase. For me because i have so many clutches a year it is cost affective to use vermiculite. And to those complaining about hatchrite and having to ad water. Duh. If you knew anything about incubation you would know you need to keep your substrate moist. If it dries out then make sure it doesnt by adding water. Same goes with vermiculite. It dries too. Sometimes ya gotta mist it. This isnt rocket science. Hell you can incubate with cypress mulch if ya wanted too. Whatever incubation material you use it has to have moisture. They teach that in kindergarten of egg incubation. Dont blame the product blame the user

I have heard of stories where hatchlings have caught their umbilicus on the light grid and tore it, then subsequently bled to death. Has that ever happened to anyone here?

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I use Calcined Clay ( Superhatch). There is a great write up on incubation mediums, what they are, how they function, pros and cons if you Google: Repashy Superhatch

I have tried vermiculite, perilite, coco coir, mixes, SIM, and Calcined Clay. They all have pros and cons but IMO the Calcined Clay has less cons. The only con that I have found with it is that it is heavy, but that is also a pro to me because of thermal mass:)

I highly reccomend anyone who incubates reptile eggs to read that write- up! If anyone has any questions I'm glad to help.

I use Sponge Rock with a light diffuser on top. It is a much bigger Perlite so it holds the light diffuser up without having to worry about eggs sinking at all and touching water or wet medium. Had a 13 egg clutch last season and it never started to sink.

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Originally Posted by Andybill

What do you use as far as containing the eggs during incubation? Is it just like a tote with a sealable lid or what?

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I use dollar store 6 quart containers and they have worked fine for me. I use vermiculite because it's cheap and easy to use. I have also incubated a clutch with a potting soil/peat moss substrate.