Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know I know this has been discussed to death...but for some reason I cannot find the thread on it. I must be brain dead becase even using the search I cannot find it.

So would some please post the link to the thread or the details on how to do this properly.

Thanks so much.

The search function on this site blows bigtime, but I did find the link after a while.

link

TomChambers

Thanks Tom

That is exactly what I was looking for too.

I really think this write up should be a sticky.
Way to go JP!!

I was so moved after reading this post I had to try the method out.

It worked great!!! I don't think I will use the conventional substrate method again, I really like the ease of this method.

TomChambers

I agree, I used that method this year and it worked great...little hint, in the water, put the recommended dosage of fresh water fish anti-fungal in with it, there was not a spec of mold anywhere even at close to 100% humidity....this system works great....

Great Idea...an upgrade!

Anyone else have other "hints" or ideas on how to improve this method?

Also...any downsides or things to watch out for?

This will be my first season so I would much rather learn from the masters, then screw it up on my own.

I tried this method this year with very good success. The only thing I would suggest is to make sure your "grate" is firmly seated in the box & level or put some PVC "feet" under the grate. Use 1" pvc cut into lenghts to keep the grate out of the substrate. I had one grate shift & the egg absorbed water. It was a very full egg. It hatched fine even with the water. Also you may want to cut some strips of grating to place between the eggs if they are seperated. It will help to keep them from rolling if you are removing them from the incubator for inspection.
Bruce Delles c/o Twin Cities Reptiles

Bruce, thanks for the hint of "PVC feet" and the grate between the separated eggs.

I'm trying this incubation medium for the first time right now - I have a cutch due to hatch in a couple of weeks. The only minor problem I've had so far is that I have to be real careful because my separated eggs tend to roll a bit on the grating when I open the egg container once a week for air. This hint should stop that problem.

Other than that, I really like this method so far.
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Alice Cobb

Question.

The container you are using is there air holes in the lid or sides of the container? If so, what size? If not, do you offer a fresh air exchange once a week?

thx.

Dwayne

Not sure if there is a way to Improve this.I've used this for burm eggs years ago and never lost an egg.This is the best way to incubate eggs,you'll see..I don't use as much water,but i add some as needed,If needed.I have no holes in my egg boxes

Greg VanZweden
http://www.vanzwedenreptiles.com/

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Forever Trust in what we are,and nothing else Matters

That brings up a good question for everyone.

Does everyone seal their egg tubs completely or do you have holes in the box for air flow?

(assuming of course if you have no holes you are opening it weekly to do air exchange)

My egg boxes do not have air holes. I think the ammount of air that developing eggs need, especially early on, it far less than most people think.

My egg boxes are fitted with the lids they come with. The lids are tight, but not airtight. Works just fine!

Thanks again for the recognition. It's nice to know that so many people have tried this and have had so much success. I actually submitted a short article to Reptiles Magazine on incubators and the no-sub incubation. Depending on what I hear from them (whether or not they decide to publish it), I'll probably put a couple of versions of the article up on my web site. I doubt they'll use it, but I submitted it on a whim anyway. If they do decide to accept it for publication, I'll have to wait until it runs before putting it up on my site. I'll post on this forum whenever I get it up there.

JP,

I never had any problems with the conventional substrate method, but as you said the Ron Popeal(Sp??) deal set it and forget it.

with medium, I was constantly monitoring it, there were very few times it needed attention, but I was always checking anyways.

the no-sub method, was a no brainer I just exchanged air in the egg boxes, and never really looked at it for anything else.

way too easy.....

As I siad I really liked it, and I'm a convert.

I hope you get the article published, that would be very cool.

TomChambers

I personaly followed Damon Salcies instructions for the incubator he built for his GTPs. That way I have more security if I ever get into chondros. I love my incubator. 100% hatch rate so far. I spent close to $300 making it but you could make the same one for far less by substituting some things and cutting a few corners for items that arent mandatory. Like instead of buying the restaraunt style storage containers for egg boxes you could use rubbermaid etc....

Anyway, I love mine. The link is www.albinochondro.com

There are definately less expensive ways to make your own and many of them work pretty well. I just realy liked Damon's for its mobile convenience and effectiveness.
Good luck.

I dont put water in all three metal pans because it isnt necessary. Water in the center pan provides plenty of humidity. I put water bottles in the two outside pans to maintain thermal mass. It works great.

Ignore the (fish tank)air pump. The theory was that it would provide an automatic exchange of oxygen boost the humidity but I found that wasnt necessary considering how often I open the incubator to check on my little ones. Plus it created an overwhelming amount of condensation.

One of the things I like most about this style is that the condensation never touches the eggs nor does it get inside the egg box. You can sleep peacefully knowing that your eggs arent absorbing too much water.

How does the humidity circulate to the eggs? I can't tell from the pics if you have holes in the containers or not. What type of heating element is at the bottom? Do the little fans run constantly? What is under the eggs in the containers?
Thanks.

yes the fans run constantly through the incubation. The lids to the egg boxes are raised 1/4 inch with rubber bumpers to allow humidity inside. The heating element is a comercial heating cable wrapped around the first pvc frame at the botton. This is the kind of heat cable that you can lay under concrete to heat sidewalks. It was almost $50 by itself. I purchased it because it is durable and waterproof. The eggs are sitting on a piece of synthetic mesh.??...the kind of stuff you can buy to use as cheap place mats. This material prevents the eggs from rolling around as much and lifts them off the bottom a little. But the good thing is...Hardly any condensation gets into the boxes at all. Just a little build up under the lid after awhile but nothing serious. Just wipe it away. There is quite a bit of condensation under the lid of the incubator itself which is annoying but it doesnt seem to get into the boxes.
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Without INTEGRITY and HONESTY what else have you!
Brendan Saffron