Reptile & Amphibian Forums

as an incubation medium, should you see a lot of condensation built up on the sides of the egg chamber? I've used vermiculite and perlite before and had a ton of moisture on the sides. This time I have the perlite over an inch deep, probably closer to 2, totally saturated with water, and the light diffuser embedded in it. I can see 1 thin strip of condensation, the rest is dry. Is this what I should be seeing? Just want to be sure my humidity is alright before something goes wrong. Thanks a lot for any tips. They're greatly appreciated. Ryan.

I'm using Glad Ware containers. Before I've used typical plastic shoeboxes like you would put into racks. Anybody else been using these? I think they're pretty new. I figured they'd be pretty air tight since they are meant for food storage. Just wondering if maybe they're not, and that's why I'm not retaining enough moisture. Hopefully worrying about nothing. Just want to make sure.

Ryan
You are probably close to 100% humidity within the boxes. Don't worry about it. Generally you see condensation on anything when the higher humidity temps are greater then the lower humidity temps. Example: house windows in the spring & fall if there is a high humidity level in the house. Just don't let the water run onto the eggs if possible.
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Ryan, only a little condensation (or even no condensation) is what you're shooting for. If you had alot of condensation, that would mean you have a temperature difference within the incubator. The only way condensation can occur is if one surface is cooler than the rest. Lots of times, people will get condensation on the lid if the top of the incubator is cooler than the bottom (this will occur even with very small temp. differences). SOunds like your right on track.

On the other note, I'd be just a little scared about the gladware lids. You want a tight fitting lid, but not airtight. I would modify them to allow the SLIGHTEST bit of air exchange. Maybe just a couple of pinhole size openings, or maybe even just not "snapping" the lid all the way down on one side. Remember, you want to keep the humidity in..so don't ventilate too much!

I never even took the temp difference aspect into consideration. I was using a Hovabator before. Graduated to a Nature's Spirit this time. Slight difference in quality level now. I do have a hole in the container, so I should be alright. If anything starts to go wrong with the eggs, I'll make changes. Just wanted to make sure I wasn't going into it all wrong from the beginning. Thanks a lot for all the info. I got the egg crate method directions from you too. Ryan.

I agree with JP... remember that the eggs do breath (through the shell) and therefore do need a little ventilation.

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Larry Walker

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