incubation medium?

[reptile boi]

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if any of you guys/gals use anything other than vermiculite or perlite as your incubation medium because i find that perlite is reaaallly dusty and vermiculite is almost as dusty but not quite when it comes right out of the bag, and seeing how how my leos are laying a clutch every few weeks (they have been bred just a little over a week ago), i dont think its any good for my lungs to be breathing in all this dust. Does anyone know of any other good incubation medium that isnt too dusty when its dry?




Thanks,
Ben

[mykee]

Why not use the perlite/vermiculite mix that has worked so well, and mix it.........outside!? Once the wind takes the small particles away, you'll be safe. You could also wear a painters mask to avoid inhalation and once you add water to your mix, there is no dust.

[reptile boi]

ok mykee,
ill do that




Thanks,
Ben

[reptile boi]

oh, and i almost forgot to ask,
Today i put together myself one of those homemade incubators with the water heater in a pickle jar/small bucket, and i found the air to be warm and humid and i was wondering, would i still need the vermiculite/perlite? If so, do i still need to moisten it?




Thanks,
Ben

[mykee]

In that case, you could use the .5" plastic cube sheet thingies, the stuff you would find covering flourescent fixtures in offices ( I'll figure out what their called one of these days..), to allow for better airflow and humidity.

[VooDooMafia]

I would still use teh vermiculite under the grate thingies.

[tai_pan1]

Or you could try sphagnum moss. I love it. I probably will never try vermiculite or perlite just because the sphagnum is so easy.

[reptile boi]

Hey,

I think theyre called "plastic egg crates" does anyone know where i can get some? I have them in the incubator right now with perlite.



Thanks,
Ben

[mykee]

Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Rona etc.