Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I need to build an incubator. I am only expecting two clutches of eggs this year. But unfortunately they can't be kept at the same temps so I need two different small incubators. (I had to toss my old freezer incubator when I moved into this apartment)

I have a few ideas, most of which involve either a large sturdy styrofoam box that I have, or a ten gallon tank. My options for heating are flexwat (both 3 inch wide and 11 inch), a rubber coated waterproof heat cable, or a ceramic heat emitter. Anyone got any good/cheap ideas?

Also, I have never used a proportional thermostat before and was wondering if someone could suggest a trustworthy model that wont break the bank.

cheers

I have heard really great things about helix. I just got one and haven't used it yet. It is for an incubator. I made a 10 gallon incubator that worked excellent. I used a fish tank heater, but another heat source would work as well. You can see the heater at the bottom in the water. A styrofoam cooler would work too. I just googled homemade incubator to find the instructions. I also had a top for it. Derek

The aquarium method shown in the pic by kingsnaken is a great way to incubate colubrid eggs.

Tanks are cheap, aquarium heaters are cheap (and plenty good for keeping the water temp in a reasonable range), humidity is there. All good things.

Fill the tank with about 4" of water. Submerse the heater in the water and adjust to taste - like around 80 deg or whatever. The water takes time to heat up.

You can use a brick to provide a platform to sit the eggbox on. I've even floated the egg boxes, but having a platform is better IMO.

Cover the aquarium top as needed to achieve the desired air temp.

You can do this same setup on a larger scale in a styrene foam cooler. In that case, stick the aquarium heater to a piece of ceramic tile and submerse the tile and heater.

The above setups cost way less than a proportional controller if you were going with a Flexwatt-heated box.

Don't use a radiant heat panel for this application.

Thanks for the info. I have used both methods before for my colubrid eggs and it worked fine with a dimmer. However this year with my clutch of anthill python eggs I would like a more accurate temperature controller.

Are there any reliable proportional thermostats out there that dont cost $100

>>Are there any reliable proportional thermostats out there that dont cost $100

Unless you buy one used, no.

They are all good, and they all cost up around that number and higher. I have the Big Apple proportional, the older Herpstat and did have a Helix. All do/did the job nicely.

The Big Apple Herpetological model does not have a digital display, but I like that it has an analog dial and comes with the night-time-drop cord, and the unit is reasonable. Simple and effective.

You know, those anthill pythons aren't cheap. $100 should be a a small investment compared to what you can sell the pythons for.
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Mark

>>You know, those anthill pythons aren't cheap. $100 should be a a small investment compared to what you can sell the pythons for.

Haha, too true.

However its amazing how your financial situation fluctuates when you are a student and only working over the summers!

I will pull the money together and do it right. But a guy can always hope for a good deal...

I was considering letting mom incubate her own eggs but I think that an incubator would be a smarter move. I am going to use a thermostat, flexwatt, and the styro for the python clutch. And probably just one of the drawers in my rack for the king eggs. Maybe I'll break out the ten gal tank and a water heater. I have all the stuff, its just a matter of where to put it!!

I've "incubated" Cal king eggs by leaving them in a room that varied from about 70 deg at night to up to 90 deg on some days. They all hatched just fine, just took a few days longer. So your rack drawer ought to work out just fine. As long as they don't dry out, colubrid eggs are quite tenacious.

I've never tried python eggs myself. My friend does ball python eggs in one of those inexpensive Hovabators, and he has had no problems. I think those things are $50 or so. Check around for those - Big Apple or Bean Farm or LLL Reptile or Creative Pet Supply.
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Mark