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 #2049480


John A
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 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

I’ve been testing a new egg incubation container designed to suspend reptile eggs off the substrate allowing better gas exchange. We are calling it the S.I.M. Container- (Suspended Incubation Method). Eggs are set up in a modified container over dampened perlite- eggs never touched the substrate and are braced by rails to avoid rolling. The rails can be adjusted to fit all egg sizes. Air surrounds the eggs top and bottom. The container worked so well for us (3 ackie clutches 100% hatch rate, a dozen leo geckos 100% hatch rate, and one tristis clutch 6 eggs out of 7 hatched) that we decided to mass produce the container to be sold to hobbyists and breeders.

I want to introduce the SI.M. Container to you and would love to hear your thoughts. Its molded from an environmentally friendly form of Polycarbonate. Trials were conducted using 50/50 water to perlite by weight. Eggs were set up and remained turgid and full throughout the duration of incubation, becoming slightly wrinkled just before pipping. The lid is solid flexible plastic and we recommend drilling 2 small vent holes on top or side walls.

The idea for this container came late last year when I lost a clutch of ackie eggs due to excessive water loss in substrate. With this container, water loss due to evaporation is less likely due to a proper fitting lid and if water needs to be added, this can be achieved by pouring it through the grid to the substrate below, or remove the grid using the handles and mix it by hand.

The grid holes are only 5mm square keeping babies out of the substrate... a safety feature especially for those who would opt to incubate over water.

Here’s a first look at the S.I.M. container which will be available mid August at the Daytona Expo. A website is being built to handle internet sales and shipping. I hope you like the container!







08/02/09  09:16am

 #2049830


Crocdoc
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   Message To: John A   In reference to Message Id: 2049480


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

this is timely, I was just talking about the no substrate method a couple of weeks ago
Link

Quote:

This coming breeding season I’m planning to experiment with the ’no substrate’ method. I’ve poo-pooed it every time someone brings it up for monitors, but I figure it may be worth testing before I make any decisions. I know someone that breeds both lacies and perenties that uses that technique and recently he sent me some unrelated bloodline lacie babies. They’re huge. I don’t know if his females just lay larger eggs than mine, but I figure it’s worth testing, anyway.



The person that I know using this technique just has water below the eggs, rather than perlite. The only issues he’s had with it so far was a clutch of perentie eggs all emerging with external yolk sacs, which I think can be a sign of excess humidity combined with high temperatures (the high humidity is giving the eggs the message to develop more slowly, the high temperature is giving them the message to hatch early).



08/02/09  09:41pm

 #2049853


Gatorhunter
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   Message To: Crocdoc   In reference to Message Id: 2049830


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

alot of the snake guys have been doing something like this for a couple of years. Most of them are also getting near 100% hatch rate success (whether they use substrate or water method). I like your setup John, it looks to be very thought out.
08/02/09  10:23pm

 #2049908


Senpu13
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   Message To: John A   In reference to Message Id: 2049480


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

Very nice John, I will be looking forward to be able to test SIM in the future. Very good idea!

Cheers,
Ryan
08/03/09  12:16am

 #2049916


BansheeRacer25
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   Message To: Senpu13   In reference to Message Id: 2049908


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

I am forsure taking a few of these :).



08/03/09  01:04am

 #2049946


3240
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   Message To: John A   In reference to Message Id: 2049480


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

John,

Any chance that I could buy a few of them in 10 days or so? Send me a PM
08/03/09  03:18am

 #2049968


John A
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   Message To: 3240   In reference to Message Id: 2049946


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

Thanks guys,

I tried incubating leopard gecko eggs over water in this set up and the conditions were too wet for the eggs. Some species can handle higher humidity than others. The same set up with perlite and water changed everything, with less condensation on the walls and babies emerged without umbilical remnants. None of my hatchlings this year emerged with their yolk sac hanging out. Also, the babies of the ackies and tristis hatched earlier than expected, 106, 104, 106 days for ackies, 91 days for tristis.

We have a small order in production now and expect to receive it mid August. John, I think I can get you some by the 18th, is this ok?

The website we are building for the container sales will feature a running list of keepers’ results using the S.I.M. The list is a guide and will include species name, incubator type, substrate used, dates, times, etc. Already the buzz about the container is big in the gecko community and there’s excitement within the chondro keeper realm too.

Thanks for your thoughts!

John
08/03/09  05:15am

 #2050105


Monitorboy319
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   Message To: John A   In reference to Message Id: 2049968


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

This looks wonderful.
08/03/09  12:11pm

 #2050109


Krusty
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   Message To: Monitorboy319   In reference to Message Id: 2050105


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

Pretty slick idea, John. They look good.
08/03/09  12:23pm

 #2050369


Bsm
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   Message To: Krusty   In reference to Message Id: 2050109


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

Great idea John, it looks promiseing. How much are these going to sell for and are they coming in a variety of sizes as i may need some for some of my smaller lizard species.


thanks,
Bryan
08/03/09  08:40pm

 #2050478


Randy Clark
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   Message To: Bsm   In reference to Message Id: 2050369


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

Great idea I will definitely hjave to get one and try it out
08/03/09  11:30pm

 #2050576


John A
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   Message To: Randy Clark   In reference to Message Id: 2050478


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

I think the price will hit at 25 each or less, we are working it out and will have it exact at the Daytona Show in 3 short weeks.



08/04/09  05:55am

 #2050680


Joe Kahn
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   Message To: John A   In reference to Message Id: 2050576


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

What would the sizes be?
08/04/09  10:35am

 #2050850


John A
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   Message To: Joe Kahn   In reference to Message Id: 2050680


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

8 L x 6 3/4 W x 4 1/2 H... big enough for a large clutch of ackie eggs with room to spare.




08/04/09  03:47pm

 #2050900


Joe Kahn
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   Message To: John A   In reference to Message Id: 2050850


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

Is there a larger one like the size for Rhino Iguana eggs ?
08/04/09  05:00pm

 #2050901


JPsShadow
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   Message To: John A   In reference to Message Id: 2049480


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

Looks like they should work well. I have been hatching chondros and other snakes for a few years using the suspended or no medium method. I know quite a few places that use the same methods with crocodilians as well.

Your containers sure look alot nicer then the ones I use haha. Let me know when you have them available and the prices, I may have to try them out.
08/04/09  05:03pm

 #2051723


Krusty
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   Message To: JPsShadow   In reference to Message Id: 2050901


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

John - are you "launching" them at Daytona by chance?
08/05/09  09:31pm

 #2051977


John A
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   Message To: Krusty   In reference to Message Id: 2051723


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

Yes official launch is Daytona show although a few pre orders can be filled prior to the show. Jody, it DOES work :)

Some python breeder I know said he loved how the grid does not allow access to the substrate below. When using water in the base alone, he had some hatchlings drown because they wedged themselves into the plastic, head down in water.



08/06/09  11:15am

 #2052008


Joe Kahn
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   Message To: John A   In reference to Message Id: 2051977


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

Is there a way to order them yet?It is too late for my Rhino eggs, but could use a couple of ackie size.
Joe Kahn
08/06/09  12:24pm

 #2052024


JPsShadow
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   Message To: John A   In reference to Message Id: 2051977


 Incubating monitor eggs off substrate- S.I.M. Container

I have had a few hatchlings get down through the grids I use. The bigger grid holds the eggs up well but it does allow babies to get under and into the water or medium below. I have not had any die from it but have had a few swimming around. Would be a nice thing to not have to worry about thats for sure.
08/06/09  12:52pm


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