Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wanted to post a pic of the incubator I built. 4ft x 2ft x 2ft The whole contaiter is insulated with 3 inches of sheet insulation. I was hoping to hold 14 clutches but 10 is more reasonable. We have built 5 of these so far and chose not to use a walk in. Because of the small draw per incubator we will be able to use backup power supplies on each incubator.

Westcoastpythons

Could you give more details please?

Basic directions-- supply list.

What size tubs are you using?
What heat method are you using? where are your temp probes ran in at, and where are they placed?
what are you using for thermal mass?

Thanks...

Beth
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The rescue site: www.freewebs.com/okreptilerescue

Hi beth !
Ill try the best I can to give a description. The outer panels are 1/2 ply top and bottom 24 x 24. The sides , back and door are 24 x 48 . I temperarily screwed the panels together with 1in sheet rock scews. I then built an inner frame of 2x2 and screwed all the panels to the frame.I bought 1 in board insulation that are available in 24in x 8ft panels. I installed the first layer inside the 2x2 frame . The second and third layer was laid on top of the 2x2 frame.If you cut the panels to the right size you will not need to attach them. I installed the top and bottom insulation panels first. The side panels will hold the top up until the shelves are installed. I built the shelves out of 2x2 frames with 1/2 mesh wire stapled to the shelves. The shelves were evenly spaced and holes were predrilled through the 1/2 plywood and 4 in screws were installed through the 1/2 outer panels amd through the insulation and into the 2x2 frame of the shelves. The sill that the door closes against was trimmed with 2in angle flashing for a flat even surface for the 1 in foam weather stripping and sealed with caulking. The door was built with 1/2 ply also with 2x2 frame and also trimmed with angle flashing.I installed 1 in foam weatherstripping around the door opening that has a pell off sticky backing. I used 6 qt sterilite tubs. If you look at the photo the panel you see leaning fits just inside the door opening for added insulation. I kept records on temps with a 6ft piece of 4in heat tape as a heat source with a very constant temp of 87.5 - 88.0 .The wires for the fan which will point down and the temp probe which will be in a container on the center shelf will come through the back and secured with adel clamps. I plan to use back up power supplies like the ones used on computers. I suspect these backup supplies to last less than an hour. I hope to incorporate a hot water grid at some point that will be regulated by a natural gas water heater and circulated through copper tubing inside the incubators. I will use plastic water bottles as a thermal mass, I know that was long and hope it made since. Heres a material list the best I remember.

2 4x8 sheets of 1/2 plywood. You will have 3/4 sheet left over.

12 8ft 2x2 some left over $36

10 ft roll 1/2 mesh wire $15

1 10 ft roll 1 in foam insulation $15

1 box 4 in screws $7

1 box 2 1/2 in screws $7

1 box 1in sheet rock screws $7

8 sheets of 24in x 8ft 1in insulation $56

2 4 in hinges #8

4 8ft 2in angle flashing $20

1 latch #5

I think that was it Im guessing I spent around 200.00 not including the thermostat and heat tape.

west coast pythons

is the door a homemade glass front?

Pitoon

What are you using for backup power supply?

that's what I was suposed to have built by now but didn't.....bigger even......a friend built one for another friend,,,,,,made of all 2 inch foam board ,no wood, metal racks for shelves and a computer fan on top middle and heat tape around bottom.......

......I just about filled the second incubator today.....might need 3 more and have only 1 more.......LOL........gonna get wierd again......

.good luck
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