Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
I emailed LLL for info on their Thermal Hova Bator incubator such as if the desired temp can be set, or is it pre-set to whatever range of temps they have chosen etc., but haven't gotten a reply, and wondered whether anyone has put together a home-made model. It seems like a low-wattage light bulb over a kritter keeper might work. Has anyone done it?
-----
Terri
4:8:4 crested geckos: Popcorn, Goldfish, Harley, Bear, Big Red, Olive, Smudge, Blackie, Belle, Brilliant, Tina, Brick, Toni(y), Kermit, ChiliPepper & Spot

the only problem with that is it won't shut off if it starts to get too hot. the cheap hova-bators have a " wafer" that separates at different temperatures to cut off electricity when the temp rises.

I have had success with homemade incubators my favorite is this get a ten gallon tank, a tupermade that fits in it and get something to keep the tupermade about half way up, fill the tank with water but dont let it touch the tupermade, get a water heater and fill the tupermade with vermeculite(sp?) and get a glass top for the tank.
-----
1.1.2 Crested Geckos

can you adjust the temp. on the water heater you are using? and does it shut down/quit heating if it goes above the desired temp? just curious. sounds like a prett good idea.

That sounds very do-able! Thanks much!
-----
Terri
4:8:4 crested geckos: Popcorn, Goldfish, Harley, Bear, Big Red, Olive, Smudge, Blackie, Belle, Brilliant, Tina, Brick, Toni(y), Kermit, ChiliPepper & Spot

I built this a few weeks ago. I have been testing it to make sure it will hold the temps. So far it is working great, I will be using it to incubate some leopard gecko eggs this spring. I used 6' blue rope light for the heat, it is hooked up to an ESU thermostat. There are also 3 digital thermometers in there. All of the equipment is on the other side and you can't see it in this pic. I put watering cristals in the deli cups on the bottom to help hold the temp and keep the humidity better.

-----
www.hullabalooherps.com

let us know how it works out for you.

I have one of the hovabators and must admit I really like the simplicity.When you look at it you realize how simple it is and wonder why you paid so much. BUT being from NY in a older drafty house its well worth the investment to not worry about the eggs temp.Once you adjust it its remarkably consistant.

As for the fish tank model.(fish tank half full of water and aqaurium heater adjusted to keep water at desired temp. Tupper wear on top of water with eggs and media .) That works very well too. Just make sure your egg container has a tight lid.The lil ones would drown quickly if they got out.

I was looking at the hova bator but Scott Wesley of LLL said the temps were from about 78-100 degrees, and I wanted to keep my crested eggs closer to 72-74 degrees. What temp does yours hold? How long are your cresteds taking to hatch? Any sense of male-female ratio at the warmer temps? And what do you do to maintain humidity, or is that controlled at the deli-cup level?
-----
Terri
4:8:4 crested geckos: Popcorn, Goldfish, Harley, Bear, Big Red, Olive, Smudge, Blackie, Belle, Brilliant, Tina, Brick, Toni(y), Kermit, ChiliPepper & Spot