Incubators

I am getting ready to change the way I do things and I was looking for suggestions but then realized this might be a good topic for discussion here. spam_What I was wondering is what everyone is using and your preferences and why you feel that way. spam_Also what do you feel is the best for the money. spam_This would not only help me but other people might benefit from the shared knowledge as well althought I must admit my that my reason for this post is in part selfish.


Gary Walsch
Sunshine State Reptiles spam_ spam_<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Gary, I'll tell you what I use as long as you promise to send me half of the money I'm about to save you. &nbsp;Get yourself an old upright freezer (nonworking-should be free) and a Hovabator turbo fan model incubator (about $50). &nbsp;Place the lid of the turbo fan in the freezer, plug it in, level out the temp and you now have an incubator big enough to incubate hundreds of eggs. &nbsp;If you tried to order one w/ this kind of capacity it would cost you thousands. &nbsp; &nbsp;Sometimes you will need to add a computer fan (less than $10 Radio shack) to help circulate the air. &nbsp;I have used mine for the last seven years with no problems. &nbsp;The only draw back is you have to keep the freezer somewhere where it is cooler than you want the incubation temp to be, because this set up will only warm not cool. &nbsp;Make your check payable to Brian Conley and email me when you're ready to send it. &nbsp; <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

I really dont have the space for a regular size fridge but I appreciate the reply since you were the only one to bother. &nbsp;I am currently using several small incubators and also boxes in warm areas for some species but I was seriously thinking of investing in a Grombach incubator which was several thousand dollars but large enough to accomodate all my needs but so far I have yet to do anything, I am still in the planning stage. &nbsp;But if I had used your idea it would have cost me as much as the incubator I was going to buy ( LOL ) Thanks Brian.


Gary Walsch
Sunshine State Reptiles

I hear from Tom Weidner that Habitat Systems is designing/building an incubator; I put in an order for one sight unseen, because I know it will be immaculate!

Kerry Swan

This is what we are doing. I found a heavy duty metal cabinet with glass in the doors in the basement of a local hospital. After some work I was able to purchase it and a smaller one for $50. The large one is 12&quot;dx32&quot;hx44&quot;l. I mounted 2 ceramic fixtures in the top w/40watt bulbs and controled w/an alife thermostat. I was having trouble with the top getting too warm so I bought a heavy duty 120v fan from radio shack for $20 and cut a round 3&quot; hole to blow the hot air OUT of the top. I then installed 1 1/2&quot; pink isulation on the outside of the cabinet w/a channel cut in the panel by the fan to direct th exhaust air down the side and back in a 3&quot; hole near the bottom. It seems to be working great. The top shelf is a constant 84(beardies) and the middle is about 82 (leopardgeckos)and the bottom is 81(veilds). hope this helps. Casey

Both very interesting ideas .... Kerry ... do they have anything to see, like a pic of what they are producing yet ?


Gary Walsch
Sunshine State Reptiles

No, it has even been announced yet, and Tom's probably going to get on me for mentioning it...I know I've been talking about incubators with him for 15 years..

I have used the following, and my comments with each:

-refrigerator with thermostat, fan, heat element--worked OK
-solid 3 ft cubed wooden box lined with insulation, thermostat, fan--OK
-laboratory incubator (2 kinds) --thermostats were unreliable
-hovabator ---OK

none of these have been good enough, I am looking for something that holds the temperature precisely regardless of the surrounding flucuating temp...I hope Habitat comes through, otherwise i'll go back to the insulated wooden boxes!

-Kerry

Kerry,

&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Currently I am using a bunch of small incubators like the hovabators and I am not happy either. &nbsp;Some of the people I know and deal with are using hot rooms, fridge's, insulated boxes etc and so far I am getting the best results with the litlle hovabators, but I feel I really could do better. &nbsp;My problem is I would like one large unit first of all. &nbsp;I also need a unit that cna regulate the humidity as well, because different eggs require different humidity ranges ( GTP's ) I would also like something well made and not a glorified piece of crap that will last and be accurtate. &nbsp;I have some friends that bought incubators costing them $7000 each ! &nbsp;This is more than I could afford to spend on an incubator although these units are the most awesome units I have ever seen. &nbsp;I would be very interested in hearing how yours turns out and what you think of it . &nbsp;I dont have anydealings with Habitat Systems are they a good company ?


Gary Walsch
Sunshine State Reptiles

Gary,

I cannot answer that unbiased, because Tom Weidner has been a friend since I was 13! (I'm 46 now-man that's depressing&#33<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>...His former partner ended up with a less-than-perfect reputation, but now Tom totally controls Habitat Systems. Maybe a BOI post would be appropriate before buying from him. I too have a friend that bought one of the $10,000 best-you-can buy incubators, but the dealer/breeder who sold it to him flat out refuses to tell him how to hatch chondro eggs in it (big company secret&#33<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>, so now it sits empty in a closet, while he uses hovabators!

What about the plexiglas dome type incubators, can'yt think of the name--know anything about them?

-K

I've used a water bath incubator made from a plastic box for as long as I can remember, it works great. I can give you instructions on how to build one if you like. Just email me.

Tim Madsen
Southampton Herps