Firing up the incubator - question

OK - so no eggs, no pre-lay sheds yet, and I don't believe I've missed ovulations - but anything's possible. I do have glowing on two of my girls.

So:

Incubator - check
Incubating tubs - check
Hatchrite - check
Helix - check
Water bottles - need to get

When do you guys first fire up your incubators, and do you fire them up with tubs filled with the incubation substrate or without? I don't want to fill mine too early and risk drying out the Hatchrite if it's not necessary.

What do YOU do to make sure everything's functioning properly?

I fired mine up for a couple of weeks with a mock box setup or two on different shelves to make sure I was hitting the right temps on all shelves and no hot spots not getting a draft causing condensation and what not. I figured its easier to tweak it with out it full of eggs and risk messing something up.

So - with incubation substrate? Hatchrite isn't inexpensive, so I don't want to open the bag if I don't need too, any earlier than I need to and lose the moisture.

Very true run to the garden center and get you a small bag of vermiculite and mix that it wont matter if you get it right mixing it in fact you could just do water in the bottom 1/4 of the tub and see if your getting any condensation

I left my hatchrite in the bag then put the whole bag into the egg boxes. I wanted everything to be warmed up, but I don't want it to dry out either....

Robin you should fire it up and then let it get to temperature. Then about 4 days before the eggs are due would I but the medium in. Sounds like you are using hatch rite so I would wait so it doesn't dry out. Just my advice.

Brock

Thanks everyone! So Brock, should I just go ahead and run it and leave it running, even if eggs are possibly six to eight weeks out? I don't see how it would hurt anything to do so, but thought I'd ask.

What not just use water, or water and verm or perelite, why spend money on something commercial like that when it does the same thing. If the hatch rite dries out before eggs come add some water?

Hey Rab,

I had a very similar question. I was concerned about having my Hatchrite the right temperature.

It was suggested to just keep the bag sealed, and keep it in the incubator. That way it will be the right temp, ready to use, and will not lose any moisture.

bruce

I think that was the question? :)

I have never used hatchrite so I'm guessing it comes mixed with water?

Any way I fire up my incubator for weeks to make sure there are no surprises. During the warm up period I add my water tubs with rocks and mix my vermiculite and put it in in a covered tub and check for condensation problems. If the tubs are sealed shut the mix shouldn't dry out but if you feel it may be too wet you can open lid and let it dry a bit. Then when eggs come you are all dialed in and good to go.

I think SubZero and Monk9022 hit the nail on the head. Put your hatchrite in dry, and put a few gallon jugs of water in as well. Then when you're ready to add water to the hatchrite, use the water in the incubator. It'll be at the proper temp already.

That being said, I have mine running with the tubs set up, complete with perlite and water mixture. But I'm using substrateless incubation with egg crate above the substrate.

Steve

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Originally Posted by hoo-t

I think SubZero and Monk9022 hit the nail on the head. Put your hatchrite in dry, and put a few gallon jugs of water in as well. Then when you're ready to add water to the hatchrite, use the water in the incubator. It'll be at the proper temp already.

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Hatchrite comes premixed with all the water that is needed.

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Originally Posted by Subzero

What not just use water, or water and verm or perelite, why spend money on something commercial like that when it does the same thing. If the hatch rite dries out before eggs come add some water?

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Because I'd have to purchase a HUGE bag of vermiculite for 3 clutches, and in an apartment, there's no room to store the rest. NERD uses Hatchrite exclusively now, so if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me. No mixing, no adding water, ready to go straight out of the bag.

Robin I would turn on the incubator at least two weeks before you are supposed to get eggs. That way you know that everything is running right. I make up my own eggs boxes with a water and perelite mixture and it works great for me and I can add water if I need to. I have no idea about hatchrite but I would worry about it drying out 6 weeks before you have eggs and then the 60 days it could take them to hatch. I like to monitor them every week that they are cooking.

Robin is this your first time having eggs? If so that is cool you get to experience the rush of hatching out your own snakes for the first time.

Brock :cool:

Yes, this is my first season breeding. Two lemon pastel clutches and one possible het clown clutch (need all females on that one - which I'm fairly certain is four eggs - I've certainly palpated the poor girl enough times).

That's good you will know what I am talking about when you hatch your first baby ball pythons. I love the babies they are obviously the most beautiful little snakes when they are born. I couldn't imagine hatching out a baby banana with all that color them! It would probably take my breath away!

Brock :banana:

jeez i dont even have my incubator yet lol, im not expecting eggs for at least 2 maybe even 3 months though, i started late this season. i will be running mine for at least 4 weeks to insure that all is well with it though.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Y one possible het clown clutch (need all females on that one

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What ???? :rage::rage::rage::rage::rage:..

No best of luck Robin here hoping for all females

Clowns ooooooh ahhhhh

I love those, best if luck on that one:gj:

Thanks guys - that's my most anticipated clutch actually. I'm excited about Winston's babies, but really nervous that Lady Luck might not like me on that poss het clown clutch.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Thanks guys - that's my most anticipated clutch actually. I'm excited about Winston's babies, but really nervous that Lady Luck might not like me on that poss het clown clutch.

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Robin,

You and me both. (I'm expecting some as well) We should both dance around naked to the Ball Python Gods for luck. :D

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

We should both dance around naked to the Ball Python Gods for luck. :D

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Did anyone say webcam?

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Originally Posted by monk90222

Did anyone say webcam?

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Ha! Now THAT would be scarey (at least one with me).