Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 40 pound bad is almost gone and I had to drive across town to get it lsat time. I always wondered if there was any reason why you couldn't re-use the vermiculite from the previous season or from early clutches to late clutches. It looks the same going in to the garbage as it does coming out of the bag. Aside from the obvious small amount of 'egg funk' that spills over, any reason not to re-use it? Anyone already doing this and have anything to share?
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www.dbherp.com

Throw it away. Once used, it has residue from the eggs in it and since it was damp for 2 months who knows what mold may be in it.

>>Throw it away. Once used, it has residue from the eggs in it and since it was damp for 2 months who knows what mold may be in it.

I've used the same vermiculite for many years. If I get any egg fluid in it, I just remove that portion and toss it. BTW, vermiculite does not mold. That is why it is such a great incubation medium. I have some that I've probably used for 5-6 seasons. The only negative is that it starts to compress over time.
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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

You can bake it in the oven....just like sterilizing the decorative wood that some people place in cages for their reptiles.

The microwave should also work fine.

Make it moist.
And bake it...or perhaps nuke it.

I have used vermiculite from each previous year's incubations for a very long time now. Never have any problems.
It does start to become compacted a little....but it still works fine.
Vermiculite is merely granulated mica.
They make it wet....and superheat it. The steam of water trying to excape is what causes the layers of granulated mica to expand....then you have vermiculite... a mineral.
Minerals alone should not generally grow mold.

Harlin Wall - WALL TO WALL REPTILES!
970-245-7611
970-255-9255

I just bought a 28lb bag of vermiculite from the Co_Op for $11.99, I have no problem throwing used verm away
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1.0 Columbian RTB - "Fedor"
1.0 Orange Ghost BP - "Charlie"
1.0 Mojave BP - "Jack"
3.0 Pastel BP - "Tito", "Cruz"(50% Het Ghost), "Jose"
1.0 100% Het Pied BP - "Logan"
1.0 100% Het Albino BP - "Mac"
0.1 100% Het Orange Ghost - "Mya"
0.9 Normal BP - (3 poss het alb, 1 poss het pied)

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I just started this season.I remove my eggs from it on day 50 put them on a moist paper towell and then micro-wave box and vermiculite for 3 min add back proper water and use again.So far it is working fine.Terry

David, use it up. As long as you get the spillage out, you're fine. I've used the same batch for many years. The only problem is it tends to compress a bit over time. Other than that, it's a clean medium that stays clean.
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www.brandonosbornereptiles.com

I've been using the same vermiculite for a good number of years. Just remove the clumped up egg spillage and you'll be fine. Most bins, once set up properly, don't even need water added from year to year.

I think the used stuff works better than the new.

Corey

I have wasted perfectly good vermiculite?

I just bought more for the next clutch due on the 24th.

Yup, you pitched perfectly good vermiculite.

I have some bins here that I've been reusing for about 6 years now. When it gets low just top it up with new stuff.

Corey

Good information. I have wondered about re-using, but never had the nerve to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Grant

Since I cut the eggs, most of the time there is no goop. I remove the eggs when it is time to hatch and put them on newspaper. I didn't want them crawling in wet vermiculite and getting the little parts in the heat pits etc. Now I use the no substrate method and do the same thing.
Mike

I haven't had any ball python eggs yet to use vermiculite with but i Have used it with gecko eggs... I found even by scooping out the soiled vermiculite it still starts to stink after awhile...makes me wonder it bacteria doesn't just start to grow in the vermiculite left over..it is afterall damp and warm..idea conditions for bacteria to grow, especially if there is some grains of dirt or egg goop soaked vermiculite still in the container.
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PHLdyPayne

re-use Incubater Perlite YES
re-use Lay box Spagnum YES