Vermiculite or Perlite?

A

Adamlaskis

Guest
I know this topic has been discussed before, but what is the best incubation medium? Vermiculite or perlite?

What are the pros and cons of each medium?

Thanks,



Adam Laskis
 
There are other choices, I personally use spaghum moss.

pros:
Naturally mould inhibiting
Good retention of moisture without wet spots
Hatchlings cant become covered in it and asphixiate

cons: ? none encountered in sevral years and many species incubated.

Vermiculite

pros:

Inert ~ no micro-organisms

cons:

Retains water too well ~wet spots cause mould
Messy
hathlings can become coated in it and asphixiate

Pearlite

pros: courser, less moisture retention ~no wet spots

cons: not great used alone ~ see above)

*Some use a layer 1:1 vermiculite followed by a layer of perlite. The vermiculite holds the water, while the better drained pearlite above holds the eggs away from direct wetness.
 
Well,

Looks like I'll be incubating my Panther eggs in spaghum moss.

Thanks JoJackson :).



Adam Laskis
 
I completely disagree vermiculite is a proven method for many breeders.
1 I rarely have to add water even for long incubation periods. So little risk of drowning neonates.
2 Never had a baby suffocate but then again I don't completely bury them.
In my opinion why change a proven method for many people for many years I completely support the use of vermiculite.
 
Syn what kind of eggs are you keeping in vermiculite?

We use perlite and it is holding moisture very well at the moment.

We wanted to use Sphagum Moss, but wanted to do some test trials with it to see how it holds moisture etc first. We may switch to is soon. It seems like it would be a better medium for babies to come out to.
 
Crested gecko eggs.

I've never used perlite but I know it can get quite sticky.
(as in it sticks to the babies, not that it's actually sticky.)
 
How big are crested gecko babies? The perlite / vermiculite always kinda bothered me because I would think it could be harmful and not comfortable to walk on and I worry that the smaller ones could be harmed if it sticks to them. It's a pretty common site to see babies with the substrate on them after they hatch. That's why I kinda want to switch to the moss. I think it would be a much more natural environment when they hatched.
 
They roughly hatch out @ about 1-2g. Probably as long as your thumb tail included.
 
id like to hear more on this subject im a first time incubater and am unsure which to get. i am just now able to feel that there are eggs but i cant see them yet, at this point how long would you think till she lays???????:confused:
 
Hatchrite....

I used to use the Perlite. Now I use the Hatchrite product. I like the way it feels. It feels "softer". Perlite is gritty. Hatchrite also holds moisture evenly. I have no complaints against Vermiculite. I've just never used it. I've hatched various chams and Crested Geckos out with the Hatchrite. Have not had issues with mold at all.
 
PardalisGirl said:
I used to use the Perlite. Now I use the Hatchrite product. I like the way it feels. It feels "softer". Perlite is gritty. Hatchrite also holds moisture evenly. I have no complaints against Vermiculite. I've just never used it. I've hatched various chams and Crested Geckos out with the Hatchrite. Have not had issues with mold at all.
Click to expand...


Catherine , I have bad news for you. :) Hatchright is perlite with fine polymer water crystals mixed in. Basically the same thing. Its softer because it has a really good level of moisture. The water crystals help keep the perlite moist longer.

I use hatchright rather than just perlite, it is much better. I just received a 20 lb bag today as a matter of fact. :) Never had a problem using it. Vermiculite has only caused me a problem once probably my fault. I agree that perlite alone is not as good.
 
Last edited:
Courtney said:
id like to hear more on this subject im a first time incubater and am unsure which to get. i am just now able to feel that there are eggs but i cant see them yet, at this point how long would you think till she lays???????:confused:
Click to expand...

Hey Courtney,

Did mating take place? If so how long ago was it.?
 
Not bad news!

Thats not bad news Ryan.....you've just explained the difference. Those added moisture crystals do make it less gritty and do keep the moisture more even. Thanks for the info :D
 
did i observe it ...no but from time to time she shows gravid colors. i just want to be prepared incase they are fertile. i have only had her 2.5 weeks so have no clue when she will lay. today she was eyeing her laying bin and watched me very intently make her a larger bin.



where do you order it from??? and what is the cost?
 
Last edited:
Courtney said:
did i observe it ...no but from time to time she shows gravid colors. i just want to be prepared incase they are fertile. i have only had her 2.5 weeks so have no clue when she will lay. today she was eyeing her laying bin and watched me very intently make her a larger bin.
Click to expand...

Its kind of hard to tell then. You can use your thumb and your pointing finger to pinch lightly (palpate) along her belly near the hind legs. To see if you can feel eggs. Usually they will lay somewhere around 30 days plus or minus a few.
 
i can feel slightly jelly like balls.....? today i felt reday to lay eggs in a wc carpet juvie her body was 4in and she was egg heave and they felt hard i guess you would say...we almost brought her home as she was housed with a male also...they also had wc new breed of panthers also started with an M and they have a pale blue horizontal stripe down the sides red gullar otherwise dark in color
 
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