Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am planning on using a small refrigerator or wine refigerator. I am interested in hearing what other breeders are using. Last year I used a Hovabator this year wanted to use something larger that maintains a more consistent constant temperature.
Thanks,
Randy
-----

www.AlphaDragonZ.com

Hey Randy,

I've done that before, they work great. A couple of things I ran into probs with that might help. You need to circulate the air in them, not so much that it dries things out but enough to stabalize the temps throughout. I used computer fans that I ripped out of some old systems in my basement and then used a power supply off of one to run them (they're set up on 12V). I wired the power supply parralel to the flexwatt so that the fans would kick in when the heat did. I put 11" flexwatt on the bottom and a little bit up the sides and then put a water pan on top of it (hardware mesh over the pan just in case). I've never got around to it but I would like to pull of the original door and replace it with 1/2"-1" plex (it would need the door sealent of course) so that I could just look in without haveing to open it. Of course a good thermostat is really important. I like the GCS ones with the phone adaptor, I've got it programed to call my cell if anything goes wrong. Hope that helps some.

Sean
-----
Heart Mountain Herps

Thank you so much Sean!! If you don't mind I was thinking maybe I could drop you a line or two if I had some more questions? Also I was wondering where would I find a CGS thermostat. I was thinking of running the flexwatt on the backside of the fridge but you would know better than I would. Did you drill holes or did you just run the power throw the door. That is really neat that you bought the thermostat that calls you. I think that is a great idea especially when you put as much time into your animals as you have. That is a great idea to to run your flexwatt and heat parellel, are the temps are consistent throughout the incubator?
Thanks
Randy,

-----

www.AlphaDragonZ.com

Just read my post wow look at all those errors. Well just proves males cannot do two things at once....LOL
-Randy
-----

www.AlphaDragonZ.com

You get GCS thermostats through Gene at http://www.kingsnake.com/gcsreptiles/ . He's got some that you can hook 4 different things up with but for an incubator you can get away with the single unit. You can absolutely run flexwatt up the backside also, sometimes they won't get hot enough with it just on the bottom. I drilled holes and then used silicone to seal the hole. Temps are acurate to 1/2 of a degree, I think I could get it closer with more flexwatt. Mine was an old 1950's style fridge (with the locking handle) that I gutted. I said was because I recently got my hands on a retired pop fridge like in the gas stations with the sliding glass doors (ya, I'm excited lol) and I'm going to convert it.

Sean

-----
Heart Mountain Herps

DAMN SEAN!!!! are you going to patent that?...LOL that's some high tech incubation!!! LOL I'm fixin to build one too so that really helps with ideas!! Thanks!

Roberrt
-----
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,
adored by little statesmen, philosophers and divines.
Ralph Emerson