Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Every post that I have read said to place the probe in the container with the eggs but it doesn't seem to me to be the best place. It seems to make more sense to put just leave it on the shelf in the incubator. My reasoning behind this is because if the thermostat is regulating the temperature of the incubator to /- 2 degrees in the main section then the small container with the eggs is shielded from the fluctuations. The issue of the thermostat being wildly affected by the inflow of cold air when the incubator is opened also seems to have little ground because as soon as the incubator is cosed then the thermostat will regulate the temperature back to normal. Am I missing something?

Perseus

i don't really care what the temp of the incubator is, i care what the temp of the EGGS is : )

probe with the eggs, for sure. or, as we do it, in an egg container setup exactly like one with actual eggs. that way temp is consistent, but i don't have to disturb the probe by checking on eggs.

also, consider the widely overlooked aspect of thermal mass. if you use a "small" container for your eggs and medium, it only take a little bump of energy (cooling/heating) to change the tempertaure of the container and eggs.

if you use a larger container, with more medium, more thermal mass, it takes a much larger swing of energy to actually change the temp of that container. using as much medium as possible, a high thermal mass, keeps your egg temps smoother and more consistent.

the Barker's show this in their DVDs and books, they use trash cans filled with medium for a clutch of eggs. that large thermal mass makes for consistent and predictable temps.
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robyn@proexotics.com

Pro Exotics Reptiles

The amount that you might change the temperature by opening the door, or lid of your incubator shouldn't change the temperature enough to harm the eggs. The placement of the probe is not of major consequence as the readings do not need to be absolutely precise. Temperature and humidity fluctuations occur in the wild and the embryos are designed to withstand changes within reason. The hatching rate doesn't seem to be affected by this. I have scientific incubators /- .1 deg C. and a home built one and my hatch rates are virtually identical in both.