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Homemade Incubator

D

dustinNMpythons

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Here you go guys, I meant to post these earlier but this is the incubator I built for this years eggs. I already hatched out one clutch using it so I know it works well :thumbsup: It stays within one degree and the probe at the bottom of the incubator stays within .02 of 88.8 degrees. It consists of 1/4" plexiglass on front, 1/2" construction grade styrofoam insulation on inside walls, a herpstat, and the bottom of a closet. Enjoy!
 

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Nice! If you don't mind my asking, what type of thermostat are you using and how expensive was it? I have converted an old wine fridge to an incubator, but my temps keep fluctuating between 84-94. Ugh. Not sure why they are so all over the place, but I'm thinking it may be my thermostat. I'm using a Zilla Temperature controller with probe.
 
SnakeGirl3 said:
Nice! If you don't mind my asking, what type of thermostat are you using and how expensive was it? I have converted an old wine fridge to an incubator, but my temps keep fluctuating between 84-94. Ugh. Not sure why they are so all over the place, but I'm thinking it may be my thermostat. I'm using a Zilla Temperature controller with probe.
Click to expand...
On/off thermostats are no fun for incubating with, a proportional thermostat does a much better job at holding the temps stable.
 
SnakeGirl3 said:
Nice! If you don't mind my asking, what type of thermostat are you using and how expensive was it? I have converted an old wine fridge to an incubator, but my temps keep fluctuating between 84-94. Ugh. Not sure why they are so all over the place, but I'm thinking it may be my thermostat. I'm using a Zilla Temperature controller with probe.
Click to expand...

You are probably using too large of a heating element, once the heating element heats the incubator to the right temp it turns off but still has residual heat and will raise your temps past the temp you set it for because of that.

HTH
 
ivgonmad said:
You are probably using too large of a heating element, once the heating element heats the incubator to the right temp it turns off but still has residual heat and will raise your temps past the temp you set it for because of that.

HTH
Click to expand...
No it won't, not if your using a proportional thermostat.
Using a cheapo thermostat like a zilla on an incubator is not recommended.
 
Zillas are about worthless for anything. I have a wine fridge incubator with a Helix thermostat. The Helix runs around $100 just like any good themostat, also if you do have too big of heat source it will cause large fluctuations depending on where the heat source is located.
 
My thermostat is a herpstat made by spyder robotics, I actually have a helix for my racks but just decided to try a herpstat for the incubator since it was a little cheaper. They both work equally good in my opinion I haven't had problems with either one but I would recommend the herpstat for incubators because they allow you to program in tenths of degrees and the helix only adjusts in whole degrees. This whole set up cost me less than $300 for the whole set up including the thermostat. The thermostat was around $100 and the plexiglass was about $125. You have to be carefull when nailing the plexiglass the the walls because cracks really easy. I would have used caulking the whole way if I did it again but you learn as you go. This thing will definately last me a while since I can actually get inside of it and there is stilll room to move LOL. Tons of room for eggs.
 
Herpstats are my fav but you can't go wrong with a helix either.
I bet you can hold a small boat load of clutches in that space Dustin :D


ivgonmad, Zilla thermostat is an on/off thermostat and unless you like to watch your temperatures 24/7 and have sleepless nights worrying about those temps then you won't use one for incubating.
 
Thanks guys for the advice! I'm a newbie at this whole "building stuff" thing. LOL But hey, at least I was on the right track and figured it was probably the thermostat that was the problem. ;)

And Dustin, I didn't mean to hijack your post. Sorry about that. :eek:
 
Is it really that big of a deal if the temp flucuates a couple degrees? I'm sure in nature the female can't keep the eggs perfect with the surrounding temps changing around her.
 
HopingForBabies said:
Is it really that big of a deal if the temp flucuates a couple degrees? I'm sure in nature the female can't keep the eggs perfect with the surrounding temps changing around her.
Click to expand...

As long as they stay within a certain range, fluctuating a couple of degrees is not a problem; however, I strive for perfection (especially for my animals, that only have me to depend on) so I use a Herpstat proportional, too. Has worked wonderfully for me and I won't change! lol
 
HopingForBabies said:
Is it really that big of a deal if the temp flucuates a couple degrees? I'm sure in nature the female can't keep the eggs perfect with the surrounding temps changing around her.
Click to expand...

The females in the wild maternally incubate their eggs and they regulate their body temps to adjust to the surrounding temps, so they usually keep a fairly consistent temp. A little swing in temps won't hurt. With more stable and higher temps you get quicker hatch rates and healthier babies.
 
I've heard mixed things about fluctuation. Some people say its better to have a 2 degree fluctuation just like some people like lower temperatures like 87 and some people like to stay closer to 89. Its all on what works for you and its really trial and error. Obviously I wouldn't get too crazy to where you error to the effect of losing clutches but as long as you stay between 86-89 and you don't fluctuate more that say 4 degrees frequently you'll be just fine. The first two weeks it got down to -40 here in NM which is CRAZY and never happens here but my incubator couldn't keep up so it ran around 83-86 for two weeks but all the eggs were fine once the cold spell left, they all still had nice big veins and after that I installed two more feet of 11" flexwatt to keep the temps more stable.
 
Yeah, I tend to prefer to keep my incubation temps between 89-90, as thus far have been able to do so with the hova bators. However, the hova bators can only incubate one clutch at a time, so I've opted to convert a wine fridge so as to incubate more clutches at once. But I'm not happy with my temps fluctuating between 84-94. I could live with 88-91 even, but 84-94 is just too large of a range for me to be comfortable, thus why I've asked these guys how to correct it. ;) I've not put any eggs in my incubator yet, just got it put together about a month ago and have been testing it out since then. Wanted to get it ready far in advance of any clutches so if there were problems, I might have time to solve them. LOL
 
Yeah, I tend to prefer to keep my incubation temps between 89-90, as thus far have been able to do so with the hova bators. However, the hova bators can only incubate one clutch at a time, so I've opted to convert a wine fridge so as to incubate more clutches at once. But I'm not happy with my temps fluctuating between 84-94. I could live with 88-91 even, but 84-94 is just too large of a range for me to be comfortable, thus why I've asked these guys how to correct it. I've not put any eggs in my incubator yet, just got it put together about a month ago and have been testing it out since then. Wanted to get it ready far in advance of any clutches so if there were problems, I might have time to solve them. LOL
Click to expand...

Sounds like your on the right track, just try a new thermostat and it should work out perfect. I'd recommend a Herpstat since they let you dial in to the tenth of a degree but it is also nice that they are quite a bit cheaper than a helix too. Since your hitting 94 degrees sounds like your incubator isn't having a problem heating up, its just that once it gets to the temp you need it shuts off and by the time it comes back on and heats up again the temperatures have dropped too low. A herpstat or helix will give it a constant amount of heat just enough needed to sustain the set temperature or really close to it anyway.
 
dustinNMpythons said:
Sounds like your on the right track, just try a new thermostat and it should work out perfect. I'd recommend a Herpstat since they let you dial in to the tenth of a degree but it is also nice that they are quite a bit cheaper than a helix too. Since your hitting 94 degrees sounds like your incubator isn't having a problem heating up, its just that once it gets to the temp you need it shuts off and by the time it comes back on and heats up again the temperatures have dropped too low. A herpstat or helix will give it a constant amount of heat just enough needed to sustain the set temperature or really close to it anyway.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'll probably go with the herpstat, since I like the sound of setting to the tenth of a degree. I would love to park my incubator temp at 89.5 (with slight variance, of course). Now to gather the funds. LOL

I'm using a foot of 11" flexwatt for the heating, and it's definitely getting warm enough, just not consistent. Hopefully though the new thermostat will solve the problem. I'd asked a few people about which thermostat to try to opt for, but most weren't sure, and I hated to shell out $100+ for a thermostat and not know if it was going to work or not for incubation (I suppose I could always find a use later on a cage, but still). I don't mind spending the money if I'm pretty sure it will work, just hate to waste it if it doesn't. ;) But I did suspect it was my cheap thermostat that was the problem. :D
 
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