Help Me Make an Incubator!

[Scales And Whiskers]

You're about to read a lot of question marks. If you're a proud breeder with little patience for newbs, this is going to be a difficult thread for you. Sorry!
Questions:
1) do the eggs need a substrate to be on? Like moss, paper towel, etc? Did I even just use the right word? If I have to ask those two questions, should I stop now, do a lot of reading and wait till next season?
2) If the eggs need substrate: would keeping that moist do the same thing as having a dish of water in there?
3) Is a bulb or heat tape better? What kind of/Do I need a fan for either?
4) what kind of thermostat should I get? Basic like for their tanks, or would something electronic be better?

I've read that some people put them in deli cups and place them over the warm area of an enclosure and have them hatch.
If that is possible, would it do to sort of blend the two ideas: rig one tank/bin with heat tape on the bottom, just for incubating eggs? What kind of adjustments would I have to make with air ventilation through the top of the tank, if any at all?

Thank you for bearing through my noobery!

EDIT: hehehe there's more I forgot:
If the tank-rigging idea is a no-go, where could I acquire a Styrofoam box of appropriate size? Can I safely assume most materials I'll need can be found a hardware stores? Are there any solid, trusted suppliers for heat tape online?

FINALLY:
Is ANY of this necessary if we would be doing just one pairing this season?

 

[mango+cola]

I won't answer any of your initial questions because I do not breed my geckos, but to the styrofoam question, if you go to a pet store that sells fish, they get their fish delivered in styrofoam boxes (good incubator size), and will likely give you one for free if you go in and ask since they are usually just thrown out

 

[Scales And Whiskers]

I won't answer any of your initial questions because I do not breed my geckos, but to the styrofoam question, if you go to a pet store that sells fish, they get their fish delivered in styrofoam boxes (good incubator size), and will likely give you one for free if you go in and ask since they are usually just thrown out

Damn, a Big Al's JUST closed at the end of April. Could've had my pick :main_no:

 

[Beastws6]

Places sale styrofoam ice chest.

 

[Scales And Whiskers]

Places sale styrofoam ice chest.

Do you mean grocers or restaurants that use/sell large quantities of ice? Or would somewhere like an Meat Shop (ie, M&Ms) have a good sized one?

 

[RampantReptiles]

It doesnt have to be styrofoam, any kind of ice cooler would work from Walmart or similar...

And to the first few question. You should do some reading and wait till next season
Just looking at a few pics of hatched babies you can figure most of that out.

Edit: Ok ok I will be nice and help the newb
1. Yes, they need a substrate (that is the correct word ). Most common substrates are perlite, vermiculate, coco fiber, sphagnum moss... Or there are products you can buy just for incubation like super hatch, etc.
There are also a few incubation chambers that have come out in the last couple years such as the GEO and SIM which the eggs do not sit directly on the substrate.
2. Most people keep the substrate moist and use an incubation chamber that is closed or has little holes for ventilation. Some have created incubator's by using an aquarium with aquarium heater and this creates humidity for the eggs but I think this is not a good system...
3. Are we asking a care question or incubator question? I recommend heat tape and high quality thermostat for egg incubation. Leopard gecko's sex is determined by temperature incubated so if you want to accurately control this you need a good thermostat (we are talking $75-150) bought online not found in stores. Also any major temperature fluctuation of more than a degree or so can cause deformities such as tail kinks and eyelid notches.
4. Again is this a care question or incubator question?

Check out this site for help with thermostats and heat tape: http://www.reptilebasics.com/

You can also buy something like a hovabator which people use to incubate eggs. Sometimes you can find them on craigslist or look on http://www.lllreptile.com/

This by no means is the only reptile supply places but I think are a good place to start. Also we have some suppliers in the site sponsors above as well as http://www.beanfarm.com/ etc.

 

[justindh1]

I am in total agreement with what Michelle has stated above with the info and advice. It sounds best to research and prepare for next season rather then jumping straight into breeding. There are so many different opinions on incubation, breeding, and housing options that it can be quite confusing. The best thing to do is research and compile your own thoughts.

As for a incubator, if you're in it for more than one season then build your own incubator out of a mini fridge. Here is the link to my mini fridge incubator - http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=56601&highlight=fridge+incubator. I have taken out the top piece of heat tape and only have the bottom piece now. It works pretty good for me and can hold a good amount of eggs. I am just the kind of person who loves to build my own things when I can. It saves money and you feel pride for building something yourself.

 

[TranceZ]

For a good accurate thermostat, I recommend a Herpstat from Spyder Robotics.

 

[Scales And Whiskers]

Thank you everyone!
I suppose #4 is both, we use the taped heating pads for the two geckos right now, but I was wondering if, in an incubator, a bulb or the tape is better. After poking around more I am starting to see all the similarities in the pictures, so I'm going to go with heat tape when the time comes.
I have decided to wait until next season - I'll probably busy myself making hides instead. I get too excited about my ideas sometimes hehe. Besides, I'm used to mammals, where its all about weight, not temperature - it's an awkward switch to make too soon, I'm afraid I'll mess it up.
justindh1, I saw earlier someone managed to get a free fridge off craigslist as well. It's awesome how many options there are!
Thanks again for helping the noob! especially with the links, bookmarking those for later.

Now I just have to break the news to Isaac. Has to wait a year. Poor guy

 

[LECor Reptiles]

Mini Fridges work great as reptile incubators. I personally used and old wine cooler with Heat tape. Came out great and it holds the temperature perfect. This will be my first season using this. But definitely look into building one the is going to last you a while if your in it for more than one season.

I personally use 1/2 vermiculite 1/2 perlite for the incubation medium. As for adding water, I usually use a 1:1 ratio. In other words, before adding the water, weigh the medium. Then simply double the medium weight by adding water.

a Lot of breeders do it differently, but this is what works for me.

Look into getting a scale from the smoke shop nearest you, or off amazon. It's an important tool when breeding geckos.