Homeade incubator

[Valley Reptiles]

I put this together for my Carpet pythons but my female turned out to be sexed wrong so instead of breeding I got male combat:main_no:, so I'm using it for my geckos until next year.
It's been holding temps very well so far.

I'm trying to figure out how I can cut the door and put a glass in it so I can see in without opening it.

 

[Halley]

looks good!

 

[hoppslover]

Maybe using a drill bit large enough to insert a jab saw threw. Then you could cut your opening. Then maybe some plexi glass installed with silicon and some screws. Just my thoughts. Second thought. scrap the incubator idea and use that fridge as a kegerator.

 

[OhioGecko]

Looks good. I will be interested to see how you get the plexiglass installed. Our next project is making an incubator from a full size fridge and I have been wondering about installing the plexiglass.

The only idea I have is to tear the complete inner door out, dremel out the outside of the door. Install the plexiglass with sealant, screws and nuts. Then add 1/2" Styrofoam insulation to the inside of the door than an additional plexiglass window sealed to the Styrofoam.

We hope to have ours done in the next couple of weeks. I will post pictures while we are building it. If you get your plexiglass window in please post the results.

 

[RepBex]

you must remember that fridges are made up of quite afew toxic conponants and drilling into maynot be the best idea for health mad even worce if its an old one

 

[rrhill]

The doors are insulated with a foam similar to "great stuff", it isn't toxic unless you are burning it and inhaling (lots of) it. Even the freon (yes, the old stuff) isn't toxic unless you breathe in nothing but freon. It isn't good for the ozone layer though, so you have to capture the freon if you plan to remove the compressor and cooling system. Drilling the doors shouldn't pose any problems, but it will be tricky because of the funny shaped, molded plastic insert on the inside of the door. I use a large (6' x 2' x 2') wine cooler for my incubator. It also doesn't have a glass door and I could easily cut the opening for glass (door is completely flat on both sides) but there really isn't much point. I can make do without being able to see inside.

If you are one who really needs to see inside, I recommend the new wine coolers with the glass doors. You can usually find them on craigslist pretty cheap (around $50). Then just set up heat tape and thermostat. And when you aren't cooking eggs you can chill wine in it :main_thumbsup: