clay aquatic plant soil as a incubation medium

[Ionstorm]

Anyone tried the clay aquatic plant soil for incubating chameleon eggs?

The crested gecko breeders love the stuff because it holds moisture well, but breathe's very well since it is a coarse material. Unless the results are very poor I will be trying it with my next panther clutch.

 

[Syn]

Crested gecko breeders love it? Odd that I've never heard it, I do post on a crested gecko forum....

Is there a brand name?

 

[Ionstorm]

There are a few different names, Turface is one. Schultz also made a similar product, or you can obtain it from some aquarium shops.

Its broken clay pieces, so it holds water. Being smaller broken clay pieces it also allows alot of air flow.

Maybe its just the Canadian crested gecko breeders using this stuff. Im thinking someones got to have tried.

 

[Syn]

I personally have never used it and would recommend vermiculite.

 

[Ionstorm]

My first clutch of eggs that has been incubating for over 2 months now is in vermiculite, perlite, hatchrite. All mixed based on the reccomendations from this website, except the hatchrite. The only medium I am having trouble with and have lost some of the eggs is the vermiculite. I will be using perlite and trying the aquatic plant soil for my next clutch. I am unsure why I am having any problems with is the vermiculite. I will have to try it again down the road sometime.

 

[Syn]

What kind of vermiculite are you using? Brand? Size?

I hatched out 14 crested geckos with no problems at all... no bad eggs other than end of season eggs that weren't fully calcified.

 

[Ionstorm]

I am not sure of the brand, it was an industrial farm grade vermiculte not reptile. It was the middle size, not really coarse, but not a fine powder. I was unable to get the coarse type at the time. It did not have fertilizers in it so im not sure what went wrong.

 

[Syn]

The coarse is what I use, if you want some of the stuff I have I'd be happy to send you some if I have enough.

 

[Ionstorm]

Thanks for the off Syn, but thats alright. I should be able to find some locally. My parents are in the business of farming bedding plants so the have some suppliers who carry various different vermiculites, I will have to get them to order what im looking for.

 

[Syn]

Alright. Just for future reference I use Gro Well Vermiculite...

 

[CarlC]

I've only ever used vermiculite. Worked great in the past. Us old timers didn't have many options back in the day. The clay balls have used for years in Europe.

Carl

 

[Ionstorm]

Well my female panther laid 24 eggs today. Since I am having good luck with the perlite I put half in the perlite.

The other 12 are in the clay aquatic plant soil. I will keep this thread updated over the next few months until the eggs hatch.