"the perlite obsorbes the water and holds the moister. Why do you think they use it in potting soil??"

Perlite does not absorb water. Vermiculite does that. Perlite is added to a mix of vermiculite to prevent the vermiculite from getting compacted and soggy, it allows air flow through the mix. The purpose of perlite in potting soil is to provide air flow in the soil, so it doesn't get too compacted. It gives surface area for roots. Water will stick to the vast surface area of perlite due to the many holes and craters.

A pile of perlite, or gravel or marbles or nuts and bolts or the commonly used light diffuser simply keeps the eggs from the water. Whoever posted the pic of just water under their light diffuser has a set-up that works just fine, you just have to be careful when moving the box to keep from sloshing the water on the eggs.

I have no doubt that your method works just fine, but the addition of a light diffuser adds an extra layer of protection between the eggs and the water.

[ Hide Replies ]

• The great incubation Substrate debate - SteveinIL, Wed Mar 28 23:52:50 2012
• This Way Works For Me - FGS, Thu Mar 29 01:29:22 2012
• RE: The ever forgiving perlite - WillStill, Thu Mar 29 07:58:12 2012
• Revised SIM - mikebell, Thu Mar 29 09:37:42 2012
• RE: Revised SIM - WillStill, Thu Mar 29 13:09:08 2012
• RE: Revised SIM - coldthumb, Thu Mar 29 18:30:56 2012
• RE: Revised SIM - willstill, Thu Mar 29 19:10:51 2012
• RE: The great incubation Substrate debate - mikebell, Thu Mar 29 09:34:16 2012
• RE: The great incubation Substrate debate - willstill, Thu Mar 29 19:15:07 2012
• RE: The great incubation Substrate debate - mikebell, Fri Mar 30 09:02:23 2012
• The great incubation Substrate debate - JYohe, Thu Mar 29 15:50:11 2012
• RE: The great incubation Substrate debate - willstill, Thu Mar 29 19:20:01 2012
• Carpet Pythons hatch quickly - mikebell, Fri Mar 30 09:04:24 2012
• RE: The great incubation Substrate debate - ohernz, Thu Mar 29 16:50:16 2012
• Definitely Perlite - reidbeg, Thu Mar 29 19:18:14 2012
• RE: Definitely Perlite - lairofdragons, Thu Mar 29 20:50:02 2012
• A pile of Perlite is SIM - mikebell, Fri Mar 30 10:00:07 2012
• RE: A pile of Perlite is SIM - reidbeg, Sun Apr 1 15:58:28 2012
• Perlite won't absorb water - mikebell, Mon Apr 2 10:28:17 2012
• RE: The great incubation Substrate debate - jaymiller242, Fri Mar 30 23:16:46 2012
• RE: The great incubation Substrate debate - AGoldReptiles, Sat Mar 31 18:00:40 2012
• RE: Water - Holloway, Sat Mar 31 21:55:34 2012
• RE: Water - jaymiller242, Sun Apr 1 14:36:23 2012
• RE: Water - Holloway, Sun Apr 1 22:58:10 2012
• RE: Water - jaymiller242, Mon Apr 2 19:33:00 2012
• RE: The great incubation Substrate debate - SteveinIL, Wed Apr 4 02:47:43 2012