It doesn't matter what substrate you use. You could use cypress mulch. Doesn't matter whatsoever.
With substrateless you want the perlite to be wet enough to where water pools but not to where the perlite floats. It needs to be firm enough to hold up the grating. Sloshy is perfectly fine since the eggs aren't touching the substrate. Some people, especially chondro people, use just water underneath the grate and hold it up with pieces of PVC.
I've used perlite(even the miracle grow kind, haha) and perlite/vermic mix. The vermiculite was too expensive here in my town to want to buy it again so I just get the perlite.
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