Pearlite/Vermiculite

I'm working on getting all my incubation materials ready and I'm wondering about pearlite.

I found some pearlite at Fleet Farm when I went and bought a incubator (decided to try this instead of building my own). Can I use just pearlite or do I need a mix of pearlite and vermiculite.

I prefer Vermiculite only. I am not sure I would use straight Perlite for BP eggs but I am sure some have done it.

also does it matter if the incubator I got is a 'still air' kind ?

it's a Little Giant brand

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Originally Posted by joyful girl

also does it matter if the incubator I got is a 'still air' kind ?

it's a Little Giant brand

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I dont know that one but I am sure it will do just fine.

If it's a Huva the one without the fan... (still air) was the one that was recomended that I get/got.... hope that helps? I'm going with straight vermiculite.... heres my question... how soon before the eggs are expected do you mix it?

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Originally Posted by Laooda

If it's a Huva the one without the fan... (still air) was the one that was recomended that I get/got.... hope that helps? I'm going with straight vermiculite.... heres my question... how soon before the eggs are expected do you mix it?

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Assuming you are going to use rubbermaid type boxes with sealed lids, you can mix it a couple weeks in advance (possibly more) and not have to worry about it drying out. Air is your enemy :)

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Assuming you are going to use rubbermaid type boxes with sealed lids, you can mix it a couple weeks in advance (possibly more) and not have to worry about it drying out. Air is your enemy :)

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Thanks Jamie! :D So.. I can guesstamate aprox. a week after her shed to mix?!?!?


One more if I may... :oops: I know it's 1/2 & 1/2........... but what? like 1/4 pound of each???

Sorry...for a 6qt shoe box!

Sorry if I hijacked Joyful..... :oops:

Should be about right. Eggs should arrive about 27-30 days after shed. You could even wait another week. As far as mixing, I am the wrong person to ask. I have done it by feel in the past.

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Originally Posted by Laooda

Sorry...for a 6qt shoe box!

Sorry if I hijacked Joyful..... :oops:

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it's ok I wanted to know all this anyway

I'll call one of the garden centers around me and see if I can buy vermiculite from them. If not I'll order it.

I'm testing out the incubator now just to see how it works. It seems to be maintaining temps well.

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Originally Posted by joyful girl

it's ok I wanted to know all this anyway

I'll call one of the garden centers around me and see if I can buy vermiculite from them. If not I'll order it.

I'm testing out the incubator now just to see how it works. It seems to be maintaining temps well.

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HaHa! Thanks :D

I got Verm. at Lowe's.... don't know if you have those where you are?

Mine is holding at a steady 91% ! Might try to drop it to 89-90 incase of a flux....

Now... if I knew what the depth of verm. needs to be, I can mark that off my list of things to know! :P

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Originally Posted by jglass38

Should be about right. Eggs should arrive about 27-30 days after shed. You could even wait another week. As far as mixing, I am the wrong person to ask. I have done it by feel in the past.

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The whole shed thing is freaking me out.
Scarlet shed on Feb. 9th on Feb 13th I actually witnessed a really good lock up and then March 3rd Scarlet shed again.
It's not like her to shed only one month apart but I've noticed she's looking thicker and tail is looking thinner so I don't know if that March 3rd shed was her ovulation shed or not. If it is I better be prepared quickly!

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Originally Posted by Laooda

HaHa! Thanks :D

I got Verm. at Lowe's.... don't know if you have those where you are?

Mine is holding at a steady 91% ! Might try to drop it to 89-90 incase of a flux....

Now... if I knew what the depth of verm. needs to be, I can mark that off my list of things to know! :P

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I read a thread earlier today when I was searching incubator threads where someone said 3" deep.

maybe someone can tell us for sure

:rolleye2: That would get me too.... I have 0 experience with breeding BP's... I was about to seperate my male, but saw them locked last night again after no action for a week! Soooo... I'm with ya, better ready now! :P


ps... I feel so much better that I'm not the only one setting up for the first time... :oops: Support group????

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Originally Posted by joyful girl

I read a thread earlier today when I was searching incubator threads where someone said 3" deep.

maybe someone can tell us for sure

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Thanks! I'll note 3'... Like you said I'm sure if that isn't correct we'll get a hit! :D

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Originally Posted by Laooda

:rolleye2: That would get me too.... I have 0 experience with breeding BP's... I was about to seperate my male, but saw them locked last night again after no action for a week! Soooo... I'm with ya, better ready now! :P


ps... I feel so much better that I'm not the only one setting up for the first time... :oops: Support group????

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support group for sure! haha

I had my male in with her since January on and off but didn't get the lock up until Feb.
I just don't know how long it is between lock ups and ovulation.

I think I'm stressing myself out!

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Originally Posted by joyful girl

support group for sure! haha

I had my male in with her since January on and off but didn't get the lock up until Feb.
I just don't know how long it is between lock ups and ovulation.

I think I'm stressing myself out!

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LMAO! Yea... Nor do I.

Your stressing me out too... JOKE!!!! :P

I went koo-koo, don't know if you saw the thread???
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=43752

I was going to ask about those red caps also.
Mine has some small holes in the top as well I'm wondering if I should leave those alone or if they should be covered.

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Originally Posted by joyful girl

I was going to ask about those red caps also.
Mine has some small holes in the top as well I'm wondering if I should leave those alone or if they should be covered.

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I left the red stoppers in.... Guess it's optional air flow. Just looked.. I have holes as well. Surelly if they needed to be covered, that would have been noted on one of the inc. threads??? I think the covered shoe boxes safeguard that?

I'm heading to Lowes in a little while to pick up vermiculite and a plastic container. I hope my store has the vermiculite

I found the vermiculite and I mixed it with the water.. I am currently testing the incubator with the ziploc tub/vermiculite

I have the thermometer inside the ziploc tub and the lid on.. should there be any holes in the lid/tub at all? How is there enough air in the tub if the lid is sealed all the time?

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Originally Posted by joyful girl

I found the vermiculite and I mixed it with the water.. I am currently testing the incubator with the ziploc tub/vermiculite

I have the thermometer inside the ziploc tub and the lid on.. should there be any holes in the lid/tub at all? How is there enough air in the tub if the lid is sealed all the time?

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No holes. You want to keep that humidity in the eggs box. They don't need any air :)

ok.. I didn't think so but my mom was over asking me why I was doing certain things and was making me second guess myself

Thanks Jamie.. I'm glad you're replying to this thread otherwise I'd never know get any answers ;)

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You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to jglass38 again.

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Originally Posted by joyful girl

ok.. I didn't think so but my mom was over asking me why I was doing certain things and was making me second guess myself

Thanks Jamie.. I'm glad you're replying to this thread otherwise I'd never know get any answers ;)

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No worries. As long as your incubation temps are right on and you have a good mixture of medium, all should go well! Good luck!

over the years i've used pearilite and vermiculite and i was not satisified with either alone,i finally settled on 2 parts per. to one part ver. , this seems to work well.then one part of this mixture to one part water BY WEIGHT.

i put 2 or 3 1/8" holes in the shoebox and open them about once a week for air exchange.

i think you made the right decesion by getting a fanless incubator,i've been told they dry out eggs.

BTW joyful girl i lived in appleton and now reside in escanaba,mi.,what will you produce this year? i have coloubrids and should have pastel BP's from my nerd lemon.have fun!

I saw this product "HatchRite" at the Taylor, MI show a few months back. Casey Hulse sells it (couldn't find it on his website though so I linked to another site). He seemed to think it was a great thing especially for those new to incubating eggs. I think I'm going to go with this for this year since it seems "idiot proof" and I feel like an idiot this first year lol.

http://www.beanfarm.com/store/agora....&user4=Mediums

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Originally Posted by twh

over the years i've used pearilite and vermiculite and i was not satisified with either alone,i finally settled on 2 parts per. to one part ver. , this seems to work well.then one part of this mixture to one part water BY WEIGHT.

i put 2 or 3 1/8" holes in the shoebox and open them about once a week for air exchange.

i think you made the right decesion by getting a fanless incubator,i've been told they dry out eggs.

BTW joyful girl i lived in appleton and now reside in escanaba,mi.,what will you produce this year? i have coloubrids and should have pastel BP's from my nerd lemon.have fun!

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thanks for the info

I bred my lemon pastel male with my normal female
nice to see someone else from my area!

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I saw this product "HatchRite" at the Taylor, MI show a few months back. Casey Hulse sells it (couldn't find it on his website though so I linked to another site). He seemed to think it was a great thing especially for those new to incubating eggs. I think I'm going to go with this for this year since it seems "idiot proof" and I feel like an idiot this first year lol.

http://www.beanfarm.com/store/agora....&user4=Mediums

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I saw a advertisement for that in the new Reptile Magazine

BTW alex hue reptiles (grand rapids,mi.) has hatchrite on his web site.