Vermiculite/Perlite-What to Look For?

So I'm shopping around for some vermiculite or perlite. Pretty much whichever I can find locally. What am I looking for it to say so that I know it's pure?

I found this one at Home Depot. The MSDS says it's "considered practically non-toxic" as far as risks from ingestion go. The composition is Perlite, Urea, Ammonium Phosphate, and Potassium nitrate, KNO3. Anyone use this one? Do you think it'd be OK?

Or am I looking for something that specifically only says perlite or vermiculite in the ingredients list? Does it need to be certified organic?

Thanks!

Don't use that one. It says that it has Perlite with Miracle-Gro. That extra Miracle-Gro has chemicals in it. See if you can find some pure Perlite. I found mine at a gardening shop.

Or you can order from Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Espoma-PR1-Cub.../dp/B004VMG4Y4

Home Depot only carries it with MiracleGro. Lowe's carries plain vermiculite, or you could try plant nurseries.

I go to my local nursery. Just plain vermiculite is what I use. Then add enough water so it clumps together when you squeeze it but no water rings out. If water drips out when you squeeze it it has too much water so just add a little more vermiculite and mix well until no more water drips out when squeezing hard.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...-17-02_751.jpg

@ Lowes:gj:

I got this one. Thanks all! My girl's glowing so I figured I'd better get on it! :)

Im scared to use perlite seen a few posts of babies that died drinking the water in the bottom. Im using straight vermiculite no additive no nothing get it at walmarts for 2.97 a bag. I use alot of perlite and vermiculite for other projects and hobbies but I would never use perlite with baby snakes ever. (IMO) Wet the vermiculite just till it starts to sick together by its self, it will feel spounge-y in your hand when you squeeze and no water should run out between your fingers, to wet then.

If anyone else i having problems finding good perlite i get mine from a local feed store. They are also a planting place so they can order just about any of that stuff. I use a mix 50/50 and never had a problem with any babies. They do get a little dirty but if you cut and remove egg into a moist papertowel container for them to crawl out on then its no problem

Personally I dont use any substrate!! I am a very small time breeder (and I hope I dont jinx myself this year) but I have a 100% hatch rate on fertile eggs. I use little tubs with water in the bottem then a piece of the light diffuser (white stuff cut up from HD in the lighting department) and then eggs and then a lid. Always humid enough and babies can drink if they want....

http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/100_6981.jpg

incubator and tubs just no water in the picture!

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Originally Posted by Akren_905

Im scared to use perlite seen a few posts of babies that died drinking the water in the bottom. Im using straight vermiculite no additive no nothing get it at walmarts for 2.97 a bag. I use alot of perlite and vermiculite for other projects and hobbies but I would never use perlite with baby snakes ever. (IMO) Wet the vermiculite just till it starts to sick together by its self, it will feel spounge-y in your hand when you squeeze and no water should run out between your fingers, to wet then.

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I use only perlite and have never had any problems. Why would the perlite be so wet that there is drinkable water in the bottom of the tub?

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Originally Posted by iCandiBallPythons

I use only perlite and have never had any problems. Why would the perlite be so wet that there is drinkable water in the bottom of the tub?

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Seen it on here 2 or 3 times last year, ppl dont know how to properly rinse the prelite to hydrate it, put it in a bin too wet. (water gathers in the bottom) They dont come home or check fast enough a baby snakes come out of its egg and takes a sip of the water found in the bottom of the perlite (if your thirsty, smell water your going to nose around to find it) drank and died. ill try and find the threads... Also i didnt see egg crate in the picture (as far as i can remeber).

I use vermiculte no additives no nothing, if i can grow oyster mushrooms in vermiculite and even eat vermiculite id go with that over semi toxic perlite which has dust problems, vermiculite doesnt.

I only use Perlite below an egg crate. Once the eggs start to pip, I move them to a new container with a wet paper towel and a fresh water bowl. Don't have any problems with snakes drinking the Perlite water.