I just realized something. Maybe I've set my incubator up wrong! A few people commented that they do not experience as much of a temp difference in their incubators as I do. For example, the temp in my egg box (using an Accurite thermometer with the probe in the egg box) is sitting at 88.3. But I have to set my thermostat (Helix DBS1000) at about 98 to achieve such a temperature. I'm using about 3 foot of 11 inch flexwatt. The Helix's probe is on the flexwatt.

Does this sound right, or is there something I set up wrong? I'm using vermiculite as substrate, no press-n-seal as humidity levels are perfect, and I am not using a fan. (I had no way to run one and I have incubated eggs (corn snake) in this incubator before with no problems)

Now, so far this is day 17 and I am have no issues what so ever (knock on wood). All five eggs are fertile and are developing normally (good strong veins and movement in at least two eggs) There is a little condensation developing on the tub lid, which I wipe off every other day to every 2 days. The room temperature is around 71-75 at all times. The temp in the egg box does have a swing. Temps get as low as 87.5 (at night) and as high as 89.2. So far, so good.

Any thoughts?