How much intervention do these eggs need?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

The humidity only went up to 88% after adding water last night. They're on Hatchrite, tub was sealed with press-n-seal and the two small holes in each tub were covered with duct tape already. Should I transfer the eggs onto light diffuser and drench the Hatchrite? Sphagnum moss? Cup of water in the corner? Paper towel over top? Any or all of those?

I'm leaning towards putting them on light diffuser and adding water directly to the medium and leaving them alone...

Hatchrite works well with gecko eggs but the water content does not appear to be enough when incubating snake eggs requiring temps in the high 80's.

It can still be used but water should be added to it.

What I would do is buy a light crate get that Hatchrite wet. This way it will be headache proof and you will not have to worry about your eggs being to wet since they will no longer be in contact with the substrate or too dry since the substrate will contain a lot more water.

Eggs can be moved they are very resilient, just make sure that you do not rotate them.

Water bottles are not necessary, and your eggs will be fine once you address the humidity issue in your tub.

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[AerialArtist]

Just be careful of the amount of water you put into the hatch rite so as not to overly dampen the eggs from the bottom. I think once you are sealed tightly with the egg tub you will see the humidity rise and stabilize. Hope you can get it done safely. Good luck and keep us updated.

I will avoid adding water directly to the egg box unless the other methods fail to bump the humidity. Thanks so much again, I'll definitely update.

[AerialArtist]

Hatchrite works well with gecko eggs but the water content does not appear to be enough when incubating snake eggs requiring temps in the high 80's.

It can still be used but water should be added to it.

What I would do is buy a light crate get that Hatchrite wet. This way it will be headache proof and you will not have to worry about your eggs being to wet since they will no longer be in contact with the substrate or too dry since the substrate will contain a lot more water.

Eggs can be moved they are very resilient, just make sure that you do not rotate them.

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I have some light crate pre-cut ready to go if I end up going that route. I hope these little eggs are resilient enough to make it. Thank you!

[Albert Clark]

Hatchrite works well with gecko eggs but the water content does not appear to be enough when incubating snake eggs requiring temps in the high 80's.

It can still be used but water should be added to it.

What I would do is buy a light crate get that Hatchrite wet. This way it will be headache proof and you will not have to worry about your eggs being to wet since they will no longer be in contact with the substrate or too dry since the substrate will contain a lot more water.

Eggs can be moved they are very resilient, just make sure that you do not rotate them.

Water bottles are not necessary, and your eggs will be fine once you address the humidity issue in your tub.

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Thank you Deb! I really wasn't sure about the hatch rite. I did a quick look at LLL reptiles ad for the stuff and got right back to the OP. I appreciate the information.

[AerialArtist]

Well, I added water to the reservoir at the bottom of the incubator and a little bit of sphagnum moss to the side behind the egg boxes, but there's not much space to begin with. The incubator humidity has risen, but the egg box humidty has actually dropped to 87%. I found and bought pure perlite and vermiculite and am considering mixing and soaking those, replacing the Hatchrite, and transferring the eggs onto a light diffuser, then re-sealing everything. I HATE to disturb them again, but I'm getting so frustrated with the humidity and worried about letting the eggs get any more deflated. Help?

[Albert Clark]

Good! If that is the route you want to go then try that. Like Deborah said, make sure you don't allow the eggs to rotate at all. It would be great if you gathered everything together first and limit the time the eggs are exposed to less than optimal temperatures and humidity. I think the light diffuser is a great move. This way you have everything you need very close by and can do the rearrangement and transfer quickly and efficiently. That is what will be important. Great job and good luck! Oh, don't get frustrated, get busy.

[AerialArtist]

Good! If that is the route you want to go then try that. Like Deborah said, make sure you don't allow the eggs to rotate at all. It would be great if you gathered everything together first and limit the time the eggs are exposed to less than optimal temperatures and humidity. I think the light diffuser is a great move. This way you have everything you need very close by and can do the rearrangement and transfer quickly and efficiently. That is what will be important. Great job and good luck! Oh, don't get frustrated, get busy.

Haha good point, gotta get busy and productive. I will make sure everything is prepped ahead of time for sure!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I found and bought pure perlite and vermiculite and am considering mixing and soaking those, replacing the Hatchrite, and transferring the eggs onto a light diffuser, then re-sealing everything. I HATE to disturb them again, but I'm getting so frustrated with the humidity and worried about letting the eggs get any more deflated. Help?

That's really the only solution, trying to increase the humidity in the incubator itself will do nothing in the short or long run, the important is the humidity in the box itself.

You don't have to buy another medium just use the hatchrite currently in the box and give it a nice soak and lay your light diffuser with your eggs on the top.

You really want to do this ASAP.

[Albert Clark]

AA, how are you making out? Hoping everything went smoothly.

[AerialArtist]

I discarded the Hatchrite already, so I just added vermiculite that was probably slightly wetter than average, but they're on light diffuser and both tubs are tightly re-sealed. My boyfriend and I prepped everything and transferred everything pretty quickly and carefully. The eggs feel quite dehyrdated, with a couple showing the very slightest signs of mold(so slight that it might be my imagination, but still..) All still showing veins, though. I've been monitoring the temps and humidity over the past hour and humidity rose to 87% and is now sitting. If it doesn't continue to rise, I'll add more water tonight, but I'm hoping to not have to mess with these babies anymore.

I know the first season can be a bit of trial and error, but I reeeeally hope it doesn't cost my first clutch.