I'm presently incubating my first clutch of ball eggs. I have them in a 16QT tub which has about 3'' layer of course vermiculite and perlite (2:1 ratio respectively). I didn't measure out the water to media ratio rather I added water to the mix and then sqeezed hand full sized batches removing as much water as I could from the media. As I held the media in a tight fist I shock my hands to allow the most water out of the media. I checked each clump after to check it stayed formed after I opened my hands but broke apart after being poked.

The incubator has been set up in my closet for about 2+ months. Its heated with 2 3'' flexwatt heat tape that are 24'' long. One heat tape is taped to the bottom the other goes around the walls. It's controlled by a herpstat that also has two small computer fans plugged into it. The nest box has been in place since the female shed. Orginally I had the probe placed on top of the egg box lide. I had too much condensation in the egg bix so about 3 days before eggs I placed the probe in the egg box. This made a signifcant difference. The eggs have now been in place since the 5th. I'm getting a fine mist building on the sides and and over 1/2 - 2/3rds of the top (on the bottom of the press and seal). The mist of the lid was very fine as well yet after a day or so it had a couple larger drops. They were still relatively small not heavy enough that I would suspect them to fall on the eggs (again just 2-3). They might be a concern when the press n seal is being removed. This morning I decided the replace the press n seal as it seemed it had alittle more condensation.

I'm a bit confused as to why I'm having this issue. The herp stat should be controlling the temps (its set to 88.5 and I'm getting a reading from 88.2-88.7). Since the probe is in the egg box the incubator's air temp might be slightly warmer to get the egg box to the desired temp. Yet I have 2 fans running so I should have nice even temps. Any help or advice would be appreciated.