Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We are looking to purchase a new incubator and were wondering what everyone was using. Please include any pros and cons?

Thanks
Piche Reptiles

I use an old drink ref. you find in stores...it is only big enough for 3 clutches so I have to upgrade this year....but it is great.

I had the compressor taken out and wired the fan in with the ceramic heat emmitter(sp) and use the ranco thermostat. works great!

NO CONS I love it! glass front so you need not open to see inside!

good luck in 07
Paul
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R.I.P Steve "croc hunter" Erwin Sept 2006

Build your own! If you need help or have any questions shoot me an email.
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Greg Power
B.O.A. Inc
boainc@gmail.com

I use Safety Hatch incubators from Big Apple Herp with Helix thermostats. I have used these for years with 100% success.

Glass fronted frige does sound good. is the wiring difficult? Has anybody tried the hovabator. I have one but, I look at it and I feel somewhat skeptical.
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1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1 Blizard Leopard Gecko
1.1.1 Corn Snakes (2 Blood Red, 1 Orange Amelanistic)
1.1 Ball Python

I wound't use that hovabator they flex way to much in heat temps,I remember back along time ago using some of those.If the room stays at a temp of 75 and you set it at 89 its fine ,Now if the room goes to 85 the hovabator goes to 99,or higher.I just wouldn't risk it,don't find out the hard way

Greg VanZweden
http://www.vanzwedenreptiles.com/

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Forever Trust in what we are,and nothing else Matters

"...Glass fronted frige does sound good. is the wiring difficult?..."

You can pretty much do it as elaborate as you want to. But it shouldn't be anymore difficult than the wiring for a rack. I used 10ft of 11" flexwatt. 5ft down each side, connected to a Herpstat proportional thermostat. I also have a flourescant light (original fixture) down one side, and a small fan mounted to the ceiling, both with separate switches, and a rheostat on the fan. Don't run the fan or light from the thermostat! Mine has a "compartment" at the top for a lighted advertising sign. The sign was missing, so I took out the lighting equipment and mounted all my electrical in there. I used a power strip with circuit breaker to feed all of the components. I made a new panel to cover all that stuff out of foam board. Expanded PVC would probably be better, but I didn't have any.

Oh, since this pic was taken, I have trimmed the flexwatt at the bottom, and added a piece of styrofoam insulation to the floor.
Steve

can you E-mail me plans for your incubator I realy like it thanks dsreptiel@hotmail.com

my bad it was ment for the post below this one

Steve, that incubator you built looks great! We are looking for examples of setups just like the one you built - thanks. I love the idea of being able to see in so I don't have to open the incubator everytime I wnt to see the eggs. Where did you get the old beverage container?

BTW, I have a Natures' Spirit incubator that works great! It only holds 7-8 clutches so hopefully we will outgrow it this upcoming breeding season. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Take care
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Alice Cobb

Thank you!

I bought the cooler from a local restaurant supply store. I know many people say they get theirs for free, but mine cost me $100. Oh and I forgot to mention in the first post that I bought a new seal for the door for $75 from an appliance parts dealer.

This one will hold 16 clutches.

Steve

Thanks Steve. I called around to a few repair places yesterday and found one that they are willing to part with for $200. That's a little more than I want to pay right now - but still way cheeper that buying a large incubator! I'll try the restaurant supply stores next.
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Alice Cobb

Thanks. That looks great!
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1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1 Blizard Leopard Gecko
1.1.1 Corn Snakes (2 Blood Red, 1 Orange Amelanistic)
1.1 Ball Python

Thank you!

Steve

Build your own!

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Jon F

I posted this on the wrong post so I'm reposting on the right one sorry for the confusion . Can you e-mail me plans for your Incubator I really like it thanks.

Jon-
Yours might be more on scale with what I'm looking for at the moment. What did you use?
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1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Bearded Dragon
0.1 Blizard Leopard Gecko
1.1.1 Corn Snakes (2 Blood Red, 1 Orange Amelanistic)
1.1 Ball Python

I used a kitchen cabinet kit from home depot. I had to make a back and top for it (I'm assuming the fixture was meant to be against a wall with a countertop going over it) It's melamine so it is somewhat heavy. For heating I used two pieces heat tape (3'L x 12" W) plugged into a helix. The only insulation I used was filling in the cracks with silicone and filling in the gaps around the door with weather strip. It holds perfect temps and does not fluctuate at all. The only thing I might change going into this season is adding another shelf.

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Jon F

I shouldve posted it here but its up a few threads. Check it out.
Brendan