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Incubator recommendations.

Posted By:

Sigfried

Sigfried here,
I am soon to breed ball pythons -- monohybrid crosses -- and was wondering which incubators, substrates, etc. you prefer. Also, what are some recommended settings. Lastly, any tips on procedures would be accepted!

Thanks.


Points:	100
Topics:	Heating , Egg Laying , Incubation
Tags:	Ballpython, Breeding, Incubator
Species:	Pythons > Pythons > Python regius
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

2/27/2010 3:51:45 PM

bsharrah

Never bred balls so can't offer specifics but as far as incubators go, I highly suggest building you own. All you need is a "5 day" cooler, heating element (heat rope, flexwatt, etc.) and a quality thermostat. Get those three items and you are golden. You can "tweak" it a multitude of ways and a quick search on Google or Youtube will provide several examples. You will find a lot of people install fans in them but, IMO, unless you are placing multiple egg boxes on vertical shelves inside the cooler (would need to be a tall cooler), a fan is not needed.

As far as substrates go, if you are just starting out, you can't go wrong with vermiculite. Many people prefer the no substrate method but your incubator really needs to be fine tuned for that to work out well, again, IMO.

Member Comment

2/27/2010 8:50:11 PM

RB3067

I've used a nature's spirit incubator with a helix 1000 thermostat for the last four years and I love it!!!! You will not find a better quality incubator for the money. I've attached the link for their web site so you can give em a look. http://www.nsreptiles.com/incubator.html I normally use coarse grade vermiculite as an incubation medium in Iris shoe box storage containers. Last season I tried Hatch Rite and it also worked very well and was very convenient because it comes pre moistened. Good luck!

Member Comment

2/28/2010 10:58:24 AM

shellboa

We have built our own out of the styro boxes they ship candy in. I use a Ranco thermostat attached to an aquarium heater with just enough water in the bottom to submerge the heater. Bricks in the bottom with a plexi shelf to set the egg boxes on. I have some old "pro egg boxes" but the cheap plastic shoe boxes work well too. I like a mixture of pearlite and vermiculite but have heard good things about Hatchrite.

Accepted Answer

2/28/2010 11:15:32 AM

abi21491

I'd recommend a Nature's Spirit incubator all the way if you want to buy a professional incubator. If you'd rather build your own I made a great DIY for a thermoelectric mini fridge to incubator guide, it is one of my blogs. You can also use a styrofoam cooler or real cooler with flexwatt and a thermostat. So many options. I've used the Alife thermostats with perfect hatch rates but if you can get a Helix or Herpstat I'd go for that. I incubate balls at 90F, they do fine from 89-91. For a medium I've only used types of moss, sphagnum is my choice but I'm trying spanish moss this year. Just make sure the medium is damp but not soaked, and try to keep moisture off of the eggs. You want it to be humid, not wet. Good luck.

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