Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those interested, I have written a quick article on the Hovabator:

I'm also interested in your feedback.
Article

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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Pretty interesting. I am not sure why the tub needs to be filled so high with water. I use 6 quart tubs with perilite and I put almost a full(approx 12-14 oz) 16oz deli cup of water and thats it. I have not had any problems with humidity or denting eggs. I would also add to get the incubator and supplies before you get eggs and have them set up and stabilized before hand. Great info there Jay.Keep up the good work.
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Thanks and Take Care
Thomas Jones

LOL. Nice job. When I get a chance I want to read some of the other things you have linked there. I'll catch ya later...

Thanks and thanks for your input!
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Great Job Jay!

My only comments would be that when I bought my Havobator around three years ago, I called Havobator, and they told me that they do NOT sell an expansion ring for the newer more rounded model? The one you have pictured is more square and (I thought) the older model and is no longer made?

I asked the girl on the phone about the depth issues (with eggs drying out) and she explained to me that the newer model was deeper to address this problem? Maybe she didnt know what she was talking about...I dont know, but I never could find an expansion ring for the model I have?

I have since upgraded like you explain in your article. This picture shows one incubator I made using an Omaha Steak cooler and the guts from a Havobator. This one was deep enough that I decided not to use the egg box (fingers crossed) and I got my first clutch on 5/16 this year.

Good luck again and nice job!

Alan

Nice Job!

If I remember correctly, you can buy just the "guts" of the Hovabator too for those willing to build your own.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

should help out a whole lot people thanks for taking the time to do it.
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Vince Pramuk

I am attempting breeding for the first time this year and this is very helpful

I know some people have complained about the wafer, but it has worked fine for almost 20 years for me. In fact I don't think there were any other choices when I started. I have two large incubators, each has two wafers in series, just in case.
Mike

Good information and should set some minds at ease.

Thanks for the post!
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I use the air forced hovabator with no problems. Cover only, inside a 3' x 2' x 2' styrofoam box. Second styrofoam sits inside with vermiculite / perlite mix. Glass cover and probe from herpstat inside. Holds over 50 eggs and then some.

Not too moist. If eggs dent, damp paper towels used for a few days. When eggs pip, moved to shoe box container, but still inside big unit. This works for colubrids and bp's in separate units, with separate thermostat.

Mike