Best Incubator

[tofuman]

I've been using a Hova incubator for a while and so far I haven't had any luck getting any gecko eggs to hatch. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good incubator?

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

I would recommend a natures spirit

 

[Redleg]

I too would recommend Nature's Spirit Incubator.

 

[Chewbecca]

I've been using a Hova incubator for a while and so far I haven't had any luck getting any gecko eggs to hatch. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good incubator?

Really??
What are your temps set at?
What are you placing your eggs in?
What kind of medium are you using for your eggs?

 

[tofuman]

I try to keep the temperature at 80, but the temp keeps going up because their isn't way to keep it where you want it. I've been putting the eggs in deli cups and using vermiculite.

 

[leoman777]

i would recommend a natures spirit too

 

[tofuman]

Has anyone had any experience with the Kemp Reptile Incubator?

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

From what you describe, your problem sounds less like the incubator and more like the thermostat. I'd suggest spending your money on a Helix or Herpstat. Then, once you've got the process down, you can upgrade the incubator.

 

[Chewbecca]

That's so odd because the hovabator has a built in thermostat.
I mean, ours does.
You crank the little handle thingy on top until you reach your desired temp, and it should stay there unless you open it to check, it might drop a degree or two.

 

[tofuman]

It does have a thermostat. The main problem is that even tho I adjust the temp, it will eventually go up to high.

 

[Shadraak]

It does have a thermostat. The main problem is that even tho I adjust the temp, it will eventually go up to high.

mine took about 2 days to lock in, when is et it up and i followed the directions, it said to just tighten till you hear it click on the thermostat then back off 3 full turns, thatput me actually at about 82 once it was up for a few hours, all i had to do was just barely adjust it in little increments, and i put my therm. probe in the medium with the eggs.

 

[JordanAng420]

It does have a thermostat. The main problem is that even tho I adjust the temp, it will eventually go up to high.

You need to buy a separate proportional thermostat... I have the Helix DBS-1000...looks like this... http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/-/helix-dbs1000-proportional-thermostat/ here's another one i've heard good things about...http://www.bigappleherp.com/Herp-Power-Proportional-Thermostat

The thermostats that are built in to the Hovabators are not accurate, and it is next to impossible to tell how much you're adjusting the temperature. Also, temp fluxuations in your house play a big role...the proportional thermostat will help control that. Get yourself a nice digital thermometer too, since the mercury one it comes with isn't so great, IMO.

Are you aiming to incubate for females? 80 is a little bit low...i'd probabbly bump it up to 83 maybe even 84 degrees...

 

[Chewbecca]

Maybe we just got lucky.
We do not use an additional thermostat for our hovabator.
It stays consistent at 85 degrees (the temp we set for).

I cannot be the ONLY one who uses a hovabator that doesn't use additional thermostats?

 

[JordanAng420]

Rebecca, I know a few people who swear by incubating their females OUT of the incubator...one of them leaves the container on top of his 'fridge, another one leaves it in the garage...I know it IS possible, i've just never had any luck with it myself.

 

[Chewbecca]

Really?
I'm sorry.
I wish it worked as well for you as it has for us.
GRANTED, this is our first breeding season.
We'll see how the thermostat in it holds out after several uses!

 

[MeiK]

I cannot be the ONLY one who uses a hovabator that doesn't use additional thermostats?

Ours varies +/- 1F every day/night... I think people who have them set in a basement or room where the temp doesn't fluctuate have good luck with these. Ours goes up and down about 1F every day and night... 84F during the day - 86F MAX @ night. We originally set it to 85 - so that ain't bad IMO. :main_rolleyes: Ours is in the basement btw.

 

[Chewbecca]

We keep ours in our basement, too.
That is where our leo rack is, so we keep it down there for easy transfer when the hatchlings come.

 

[EchoPet]

Rebecca, you're not the only one. I set mine up without another thermostat, and my temperatures stayed constant even if the temperature in the room changed. My hatch rate wasn't that great but I think that had more to do with other factors (like the female's age) than the incubator. In the future I plan on getting another thermostat to hook it up to just to be on the safe side though.