incubating substrate

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

This is the one thing I am looking to upgrade next year...now if I can just find some good airtight boxes (eq to the 6QT rubbermaids I use today) .

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I use larger 18qt Rubbermaid "snap lock" tubs with Reynolds press and seal over the top and under the lid. Keeps all of the moisture inside the box.

Next year when I move into a larger facility, I am going to switch to 5 gallon buckets with glass panes on top ... I like using as much medium as possible for the eggs.

-adam

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

I like using as much medium as possible for the eggs.

-adam

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What is the benefit of more medium? To stablize temps better or something else?

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

What is the benefit of more medium? To stablize temps better or something else?

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Large amounts of vermic inside of the egg container will create an incredibly stable thermal mass in case there are minor temp fluctuations ... having a walk-in incubator, my only real fluctuation is when I walk into and out of the room, but it's still there ... as long as you have a door with a different temp on the other side you can't avoid them.

You also need less overall water with a larger amount of vermic.

-adam

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

What is the benefit of more medium? To stablize temps better or something else?

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Exactly...it's science...more mass = more heat retention. Moreover, I feel like the no-substrate method would be more prone to temperature fluctuations because almost the entire surface area of the egg is exposed to the air around it. Being half-buried in a significant mass of substrate just seems like a more stable environment for them to be in. Just one of the reasons behind why I "feel" better about using vermic.

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

I feel like the no-substrate method would be more prone to temperature fluctuations because almost the entire surface area of the egg is exposed to the air around it. Being half-buried in a significant mass of substrate just seems like a more stable environment for them to be in. Just my thoughts...

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And for me I see having half the egg buried causing 2 differnt temp zones on the egg surface (a very stable side that is buried and a slightly cooler top that is exposed to the air whenever the boxes are opened.

I use water bottles in the incubator to stablize the temps (and the large volume of open water(comparitively) in the egg boxes do the same inside them)...so I understand what Adam is talking about more medium.

My guess is (since both methods work fine) that the temp or humidity differences are so minute that it doesn't really matter in the end.

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

And for me I see having half the egg buried causing 2 differnt temp zones on the egg surface (a very stable side that is buried and a slightly cooler top that is exposed to the air whenever the boxes are opened.

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The thing is, there's circulation going on in the egg...its alive...so there's not going to be a significant disparity in temperature within the egg itself, even if the lid is opened...

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

The thing is, there's circulation going on in the egg...its alive...so there's not going to be a significant disparity in temperature within the egg itself, even if the lid is opened...

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Ok...so then the thought about the air circulation around the egg in the non-substrate method doesn't matter either (vs. is being buried) so long as the air circulating is stable?

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

Ok...so then the thought about the air circulation around the egg in the non-substrate method doesn't matter either (vs. is being buried) so long as the air circulating is stable?

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Haha...so what's the conclusion?

It doesn't matter :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

And for me I see having half the egg buried causing 2 differnt temp zones on the egg surface (a very stable side that is buried and a slightly cooler top that is exposed to the air whenever the boxes are opened.

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Once they go into the bator, I don't open my boxes until the eggs pip. I've actually done measurements with a very accurate thermometer (thanks HVAC Vaughn!!!) and the air 4 - 6 inches above the substrate and the substrate stay the same temperature in the setups that I use ... above 6 inches there is a slight fluctuation from box to box ... I believe that the vermiculite helps to stabilize the air temp in the box to some degree.

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Originally Posted by lord jackel

My guess is (since both methods work fine) that the temp or humidity differences are so minute that it doesn't really matter in the end.

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I agree 100% ... ball python eggs are for the most part extremely hardy ... I know a guy that incubates them in 6qt tubs on newspaper on a shelf near the ceiling of his snake room!!!!!! I think the only place where it might start to matter is when you're incubating mutations like caramels and super cinnies, but that's just theoretical gossip around the big breeder water cooler.

I'm absolutely not trying to take away from any method of incubation at all ... I think that they're all great if they're working for you ... I'm just sharing how I personally do things in case anyone is interested. I think that what I have to say might have some value, but if it doesn't, let me know and I will be glad to go away. :P

-adam

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

Haha...so what's the conclusion?

It doesn't matter :rolleye2:

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So true young grasshopper :P - LOL