Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What is the best way to incubate.Do you use perelite or vermiculite, do you separate the egss or leave them connected, do you put the eggs directly in the medium, or on a rack above it? Do you want higher temps rather than lower temps such as more towards the 90-91 or 88-89? Do you need airholes in the lid or no airholes. Does the humidity need to be as high as 100% or can it be like 75-80%. Any helpful info would be much appreciated.

Personally I used perlite with egg crate. The no substrate method
No airholes in the container, humidity stays at 80%, and temps 88 degrees 89 degrees. I have 2 clutches and all are due around the 20th and all look good.

>>What is the best way to incubate.Do you use perelite or vermiculite, do you separate the egss or leave them connected, do you put the eggs directly in the medium, or on a rack above it? Do you want higher temps rather than lower temps such as more towards the 90-91 or 88-89? Do you need airholes in the lid or no airholes. Does the humidity need to be as high as 100% or can it be like 75-80%. Any helpful info would be much appreciated.

I use both but prefer and have better luck with vermiculite. It's a personal choice. Eggs go right on top of vermiculite or egg crate if going no-sub method.

If I get to them quick enough, I may separate. But if side-by-side, then no. No reason to and you risk the chance of damaging the eggs.

I set my incubators to 90. My Helix will jump no more than 1 degree so I feel safe. If your controller jumps more, it's better to error on the cooler side and shoot for 89.

Air holes are not needed, but then neither is a complete airtight seal.

Humidity is best when the eggs are not collapsing before they are supposed to - roughly 14 days before hatching. That being said, I have eggs (in the same clutch) that are full at hatch time.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles