new eggs and unsure what to do

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

We just six great looking eggs from our mojave pair. We have a home made incubator with a pepsi cooler and fish tank with an aquarium heater. An experienced friend suggested the idea. We put the eggs in yesterday and they have dimpled a fair bit already. I haven't gotten the tools to measure temp and humidity yet but will go when the store opens and get them. Any other tips, where temp and humidity should be and if they look ok? will post a pic in a minute when I get it off my phone.

[Annarose15]

How do you have the egg box set up?

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

[Annarose15]

Is that cypress mulch? That's a new one on me. Are you keeping a lid on the tub when it is in the incubator? If not, then all of your humidity is escaping, which is why the eggs are dimpling already. I'll let others comment on tips regarding the cypress, because I haven't seen that before (could work, I just don't know).

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

I just went and got vermaculite. I dont have a lid on them, the whole thing is very wet, condensation on the doors, etc. Just got the monitors and the vermaculate, going to go set it up now and will report back. For a few days they were with mom, in a normal tub, with normal house humidity and cypress mulch substrate and were fine, and we moved them yesterday

[Annarose15]

You need a lid to keep temps and humidity as stable as possible.

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

Got them on the vermaculite now and the thermometer is doing its thing. Its digital.

- - - Updated - - -

OK, will see what I can find!

[Annarose15]

OK, will see what I can find!

If you don't have a lid, Saran wrap or Glad Press 'N Seal will do the trick, also. The Glad stays on better.

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

Thanks! I'm worried, we've never been able to keep eggs alive and it's so frustrating. I almost just left them with mom.

[Southern_Breeder]

Thanks! I'm worried, we've never been able to keep eggs alive and it's so frustrating. I almost just left them with mom.

Not trying to be rude but if you were more prepared and had everything set up the correct way you wouldn't have any issues "keeping them alive"