My Incubator

EJ · 25-02-2013, 05:36 PM

Rather than hijack a thread...

This is an incubator I built about 25 years ago. It has been used in hatching out almost 1000 reptile eggs over the years. It could be updated but why fix what isn't broke...

I didn't worry about the insulation because it has always been in a reptile room maintained at about 80F. Humidity was not a concern because the incubation medium was more than humid enough. I found that is better to be too dry than too moist. Also... not all eggs require the same humidity so I adjusted it through the different shoe boxes.

This is the front view...

Top view...

The temperature is controlled by 2 bimetalic strip connected in paralell in case one burns up... which is what happened... which is why there is only on. I purchased 2 50watt fishtank heaters and removed the heating elements. I connected the heat mat to where the heating elements were. Temperature is adjusted via an external thermometer through trial and error... same as on a fishtank.

Air exchange is through those 1/4 inch holes... consider they add up to about a 4 inch hole.

Air circulation is provided by a false back that connects the bottom to just behind the top shelf. The heat source is located under a false bottom... the air is heated and rises up the false back. I did not use a double pained glass front so the air would cool and drop to the heating chamber.

The bottom...
Air enters the front slot where there is 2 12in square segments of 4 watt flexwatt heat mats... 8 watts... more than enough to provide the heat needed. You really can't see it but the mats have minimal contact on both sides.

Temperature is monitored by a precise analoge thermometer...

zx4g · 25-02-2013, 06:22 PM

Wow that looks fantastic thanx for sharing

EJ · 25-02-2013, 06:38 PM

With a little thought you could do the same thing with a fridge. Thanks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by zx4g

Wow that looks fantastic thanx for sharing

25-02-2013, 05:36 PM	#1
EJ Senior Member Adult Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 8,277	My Incubator Rather than hijack a thread... This is an incubator I built about 25 years ago. It has been used in hatching out almost 1000 reptile eggs over the years. It could be updated but why fix what isn't broke... I didn't worry about the insulation because it has always been in a reptile room maintained at about 80F. Humidity was not a concern because the incubation medium was more than humid enough. I found that is better to be too dry than too moist. Also... not all eggs require the same humidity so I adjusted it through the different shoe boxes. This is the front view... Top view... The temperature is controlled by 2 bimetalic strip connected in paralell in case one burns up... which is what happened... which is why there is only on. I purchased 2 50watt fishtank heaters and removed the heating elements. I connected the heat mat to where the heating elements were. Temperature is adjusted via an external thermometer through trial and error... same as on a fishtank. Air exchange is through those 1/4 inch holes... consider they add up to about a 4 inch hole. Air circulation is provided by a false back that connects the bottom to just behind the top shelf. The heat source is located under a false bottom... the air is heated and rises up the false back. I did not use a double pained glass front so the air would cool and drop to the heating chamber. The bottom... Air enters the front slot where there is 2 12in square segments of 4 watt flexwatt heat mats... 8 watts... more than enough to provide the heat needed. You really can't see it but the mats have minimal contact on both sides. Temperature is monitored by a precise analoge thermometer... __________________ Ed Tortoise Keerpers @ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tortoise_Keepers and http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/284442591651347/ Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care Last edited by EJ; 25-02-2013 at 06:40 PM.

25-02-2013, 06:22 PM	#2
zx4g Member Hatchling Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: South derbys Posts: 539	Wow that looks fantastic thanx for sharing __________________ Maddz

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