Homemade SIM?

CapCitySteve

New Member
Messages
152
Location
Columbus, OH
So I'm interested in the SIM idea. Has anyone fashioned their own SIM instead of purchasing one? I'm in the process of designing my own. I was thinking about using the plastic craft grate you can purchase at a craft store and making a "V" out of it to hold the eggs and then construct some sort of legs or support to keep the grate off the moisture mixed medium.

Any thoughts on this? Also what ratio of medium / water do you use with a SIM?

Updates to come soon....
 

sammer021486

New Member
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544
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Northern Ontario Canada
I have done just that, with the plastic canvas, but I ran into the same problem with people using the SIM from SQUAMATA CONCEPTS with the eggs denting and not getting the right humidity in a HOVA, so I returned to placing the eggs in the Superhatch.

Gregg said that the reason the SIM fails in a HOVA, is that the top heating element heats the air too much for it to hold any moisture, resulting in collapsed eggs. That the reason the eggs remain undented when placed in the medium is that the eggs are drawing the moisture they need from the medium, but can not do so in a top heated incubator, because the air is too hot to hold any moisture.

To remedy this either use a bottom heating incubator or place a sponge at the top of the container to provide moisture in the air in a HOVA.

If I am incorrect in my explanation, I hope that Gregg will correct it.

It did however work just fine using superhatch and watergel when left at room temperature and would most likely work just fine in a bottom heated incubator or for cresties.
 

spykerherps

-sssSpyker ExoticSsss-
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1,966
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WA
I did make one out of a recycled plastic granola container I think it was one of those safe way organics brand . then I took a piece of plastic egg crater and cut it to fit. Its nice because the container is preformed with a raised center so the egg crate sits on top of it and leaves about a half inch to an inch of space from the bottom of the container to the bottom of the egg crate.

Only thing is I have not tested it on any viable eggs. maybe this year i will. last year I did but the egg ended up not being fertile. and I was too nervous to try it with a clutch of good eggs I wanted to stick with my tried and true albeys method, seeing as how I didn't have a whole lot of eggs to spare to experiment on.
 

robin

New Member
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12,276
Location
Texas
i know maurice (sunrise reptiles) has made and used (with success) a suspension type of incubation type of thing
 

Gregg M

Registered Member
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3,055
Location
The Rotten Apple NYC
We have a solution...
We are producing an economy version of the SIM container... It will be cheap enough where it will cost you more to make your own so it would be silly to buy all the stuff to make a home made SIM unless you really like making your own stuff...

We are also having our SIM/hova fix manufactured at the factory and will be for those who use Hovabators and other top heated incubators...

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the benefits of the SIM container...
 

Sunrise Reptile

SunriseReptile.com
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3,520
Location
New Haven, IN
A homemade, bottom heated, cooler incubator is what I'm using. I'm not incubating a high volume of eggs, so it works well for me.

I'm one of those DIY kinda guys. ;)
 

CapCitySteve

New Member
Messages
152
Location
Columbus, OH
We have a solution...
We are producing an economy version of the SIM container... It will be cheap enough where it will cost you more to make your own so it would be silly to buy all the stuff to make a home made SIM unless you really like making your own stuff...

We are also having our SIM/hova fix manufactured at the factory and will be for those who use Hovabators and other top heated incubators...

We want everyone to be able to enjoy the benefits of the SIM container...

Thanks for posting Gregg. I'll be checking for your updates. Especially if you design some smaller versions so I wouldn't have to mix clutches.
 

paulnj

New Member
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10,508
Location
NJ USA
Be advised that Squamata concepts has a utility patent and the concept in itself can't be duplicated and sold without breaking patent laws :D
 

robin

New Member
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12,276
Location
Texas
paual the concept has been around forever. you can not patent a concept but rather an item however if changes are made enough to change it significantly (like in the design) that other product can be patented. (russ makes custom pneumatic tattoo gun alterations. that's the only reason i know)
 

paulnj

New Member
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10,508
Location
NJ USA
from my understanding the concept and design are part of the utility patent.

I will not argue, but would advise anyone to do a patent search to make sure they are kosher.

bent metal clothing hangers have patents. lol
 

Gregg M

Registered Member
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3,055
Location
The Rotten Apple NYC
paual the concept has been around forever. you can not patent a concept but rather an item however if changes are made enough to change it significantly (like in the design) that other product can be patented. (russ makes custom pneumatic tattoo gun alterations. that's the only reason i know)

Robin. this is not quite right... There are 2 different patents... There are design patents... They are cheap and easy to get... This only covers the look and particular design of something... This type of patent expires pretty quick too... Then there are utility patents... These are much more expensive to get and are much harder to get... The utility patent protects the design and actual function of an invention and are good for 20 years... Fortunately for us, no one has ever patented the concept until now... So it does not matter how long the concept has been around, no one ever took it to the level we did...

When you get a utility patent, you are getting a patent on the concept AND function of the design... You can change the look all you like it still can not be duplicated... If you make a container to sell that suspends incubating eggs you are breaking patent laws... It does not matter how you make it look... The reason I know is because we have just been through the process... We can change the size, shape, look, color and redesign components and it is still covered under our patent as long as the function is the same...

As far as tatto gun alerations goes, I do not believe there is a patent on tattoo guns... Even if there ever was a patent on tattoo guns, it has long passed and now the design and function are public domain... Besides that, alterations to existing products do not break patent laws...
 
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StatikStepz

www.ThePerfectGecko.com
Messages
1,427
Location
Lake Worth, FL
Why wouldn't you just buy a SIM? As far as the durability of it and the construction of it and all it, it seems to be pretty high quality and good material to me... And for only $19, i don't think that you can beat it. I mean, if you know they work, and the idea is perfect and you hear form everyone about their hatch rates in it and this and that... just get one... they seem pretty flawless to me. So if you are thinking of the idea, and want to incubate your eggs using a suspended incubation method, why go around it, and try and "improvise" your own, witch no guaranteed results...? Chu-know?
 

paulnj

New Member
Messages
10,508
Location
NJ USA
As for Durable. I witnessed Gregg who wieghs hmmm 195 lbs? stand on a SIM at a show. 195 and that EGO. bullet proof if you ask me :D

Yes, I am a joker :p
 

CapCitySteve

New Member
Messages
152
Location
Columbus, OH
Ok everyone just for the record it was not my intent to sell their concept or product. I just wondered if anyone had tried to fashion something similar for their own personal use. We're all trying to save some money and I think it would be possible to make somethng similar for less than $19 + shipping that works the same way. Unfortunately you prolly won't be abe to stand on it, LOL. I don't question the quality or craftsmanship of squamata concepts' product.
 
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