Best place for the incubator?

[jaredm3624]

Would it be in the corner of my closet where there is no AC vent or light unless I turn on the closet light? Any thoughts?

 

[MonteQ's]

To be sure, get a small digital thermometer from wal-mart...One that keeps the min and max temps. Check it over a few days to see how stable the range is.

Watch how high the temps get, you don't want to take a chance of over heating... aim a bit below the target temps for the incubator...

Hope this helps

 

[jaredm3624]

I have a thermostat already. Pretty good one, can't remember the brand though. Thanks for the help though. I should have some eggs in about 2-3 weeks (hopefully). I'll set up the bator and make sure it's hitting the mark today or the next.

 

[acpart]

The most important thing is that wherever you put the incubator the temp doesn't get higher than you want the incubator temp to be, or so low that the incubator will have to be heating the whole time and never reach the temp you want. It's also good to put it in a place where you can peek in without moving the whole incubator.

Aliza

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I keep mine in a closed closet.

 

[jaredm3624]

I will probably end up keeping it in the closet. I do have the thermostat like I said, and hopefully it keeps the temps right.

 

[MonteQ's]

Keep in mind that even with a thermostat, most resonably priced incubators can't cool ...if you see it continually over heating, find a more suitable location

It's also good to put it in a place where you can peek in without moving the whole incubator.

Funny that you mention that... The one for my Uro's is on top of a file cabinet in the basement. Didn't matter for the first two months. Now that time's coming I've had to break out a step stool...so much for planning ahead...lol

 

[jaredm3624]

I have a plastic window on my incubator. So I can just peak in from that.

 

[jaredm3624]

ok, I have a spyder robotics herpostat with a device that tells me the high and low temp for the day. I let it run overnight set for 86 F and will check it when I get home later today. I'll let you guys know the temps it hits.

 

[jaredm3624]

Ok, after watching it a couple of days, it seems like the incubator varies by about 2-3 degrees. I have it set at 85, but I've seen it at 87 and 83.5. I think this is a problem because I don't want to put it down too low for hatching females, but I don't want to get a mix if I plan on hatching females. Any suggestions?

 

[acpart]

If you don't have a proportional thermostat, get one (search the forum for more info). Put a cup or bag of water inside the incubator to help stabilize the temps.

Aliza

 

[shadowx362]

what I did with mine was to cover the holes at the top of the incubator and it keeps the temps pretty stable even without an extra thermostat. I have incubated eggs like this for two seasons including chicken eggs which is what its made for. I installed a PC fan at the top which circulates the temps pretty good and so I don't see much fluctuation and I don't use a thermostat except for the one already built in.
The fan I installed is not the fan you buy especially for the incubator it was just a regular "PC"fan LOL

 

[jaredm3624]

as of right now, I have nothing in the bator. I'm just trying to make sure it's going to work when I do need it in a couple of weeks maybe less. So do you guys think the temps might do better when I have eggs in there or is there still afew bugs I need to work out?

 

[MonteQ's]

You could try adding a couple bottles of water. Might help stabalize things a little bit.

If you are using the Herpstat, it also has some custom power settings. If the problem is that it's sending too much or too little power then over correcting, these might help. Watch the color on the lights as it nears temp. If it goes from yellow back to red and never hits green, add power. If it goes from yellow/green to off, subtract power...

If the problem is with heavily fluctuating temps in your location, you might need to move it, close the door or find a way to prevent drafts...

Hope this helps. Good Luck.