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Mixing hatchrite and vermiculite?

phoenix-cry

phoenix-cry

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Okay so I bought some hatchrite thinking that it was jut a premix of vermiculite and perlite (because I'm and idiot didn't read the packaging). This stuff says I can just pour and use...but it doesn't seem wet enough. I've been reading that people seem to like it (that is is basically just perlite the is presoaked in some sort of water gel). I'm just nervous since I lost my clutch last year (incubator accident) and I want this to be a perfect as possible.

Has anyone placed layer of hatchrite over a layer of moist vermiculite to make sure that humidity stays high? Is this over kill? Or worse yet will it make things too wet? Should I just hatchrite pure since I've already got it?

The eggs I've done in the past I've done on 2:1 ver:per with water just enough to make a drop squeeze out. But it's been a few years since I've done the egg thing (successfully, I was so devastated by last years accident...I just made a brand new incubator).

Six of one, half a dozen of the other as far as this goes?
 
If you don't feel comfortable with the humidity, just add water. No need to stir/mix it up. Let the water sit at the bottom of the container. Once the medium reaches incubation temps the water vapor will rise up.
I have mixed vermiculite and perlite in the past with no problems. I've never used hatched right so I'm not sure what type of gel they mix their perlite with.
 
I have used Hatch Rite in the past and I do not think it is worth the $$. You are right in your thoughts that it is not wet enough. I always had to add water to it half way through incubation or the eggs would start to dry out and dimple prematurely. You can use it without issue but just be aware that you will most likely have to add water to it at some point to keep it humid enough in the incubation tub. I agree with Diego, I have also has success just adding water to the corners of the tubs and not remixing it completely. just add some warm water to the corners and it does the trick. I use regular perlite now that I picked up from a nursery. Much cheaper and you just need to add your own water in the beginning just like you would do with vermiculite.
 
Sounds like my old 2 to 1 vermiculite to perlite is way to go.

I've seen some people put down a plastic grate so that the eggs don't touch the substrate directly. Is that to protect the eggs in case the substrate is too wet. Any pros and cons to that meathod?
 
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