Homemade Incubator?

[AntMan612]

I was going for something economical, but also reliable and safe. Do you think this will work? Beyond the obvious, it consists of a 25W lamp with temperature controller (on/off), which rests on a clay saucer for fire/burn-proofing. The pie pan underneath the shelf will contain some water for humidity. The 25W bulb will heat the enclosure at 25 degF/hour, hence the temperature controller was a must.

Thanks in advance for any advice/comments.

 

[shadowx362]

well i cant say no but it looks dangerous. I think if it keeps a constant temperature and no fire it should be fine.

 

[Ccrashca069]

That just gives me nothing but danger vibes. Try heat cable and put a layer of bottled water on the heat cable. More safe and easier to regulate.

 

[AntMan612]

Thanks for the feedback so far! I suppose the heat tape would be a lower wattage, thus safer. Iin keeping the costs low for my prototype, I went for the 25W bulb for $1.50, but safety should come first, of course.

 

[fallen_angel]

I agree that the heat lamp isn't the best idea for your heat source. I have never made my own incubator, though, so I have no advice lol.. Looks like you're well on your way, though

 

[Ccrashca069]

Incubators don't have to be really fancy either hehehe
Here is mine. I currently have anouther container stacked on top of the other one now. The top container stays between 85-90.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Ink-Q-Bator...Hatching or not, that is the question.

I had to smile a little when I saw your creativity. It
reminded me of the first hatching place (ink-q-bator) I made........I used an oven on a old range.....had a very small wattage oven light.... ...Hooked to a reostat switch so I could dim the (light/heat) source. Nothing automatic, all sight checking for the temp. (24/7) I wanted. Occasionally I had to open the oven door to lower the temp.......Hey, hatched 2 clutches, just fine. Not sure your's or mine is worth a patent fee though, but I was going for econ. too.
Anyway good thinking, good luck, and just watch and don't cook the eggs.
Take care. HJ

 

[david13]

i agree with everyone else.. use a different heat source.

Nice incubator John

 

[bitterbeauty]

I have seen someone use a under tank heater (with reptostat) under a critter keeper with 2 inches of sand with another small container with vermiculite and eggs inside. The sand is a good heat transmitter. But yeah I would do away with the lamp and go with heat cables or an under tank heater.

 

[Doli]

There is my home made incubators. Heating is provided by heat panel.

 

[Ccrashca069]

Thats a cool incubator Jakub.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Econ. Bator

Seems like I remember the mention of going for a economical method .. ...but the best I have found for hatching out females and econ. is with out using the incubator. I found an area that stays 80 - 83 by my gas water heater....built a hatching shelf area. I've had less hatching problems than when I did females, in my store bought incubator. This is what I read that Albey does. What ever works best for each person is great.
Take care. HJ

 

[AntMan612]

Are "incubators" even necessary?

HJ - Yes, thanks for pointing that out. Heating cable or a UTH adds at least another $20 to the project. Come to think of it, why do we need incubators, anyway? What about just incubating the egg containers inside of the enclosure, which are already on temperature control? It seems a lot safer than closing up a heat source inside of an insulated container.

 

[AntMan612]

There is my home made incubators. Heating is provided by heat panel.

Jakub,
That is a really cool setup! :main_thumbsup:

 

[pacersfan712]

if you have a tropical fish tank, like I do, I would use a deli container with vermiculite and float it in the tank. I have a heater in my aquarium that keeps the temperature at 85 all the time. Just make sure the container does not leak. I got the idea from a reptiguy on youtube, but I am not sure if it works. Anyone else try this method?

 

[GeckoGathering]

Bators/Who needs fancy? Not Indiana people....

Indiana people can get buy on the aquarium water method or the Natural Birthing, with room temps.......you may like it too....
My $$ incubator only does males now. ....Lots of Econ. ways to accomplish getting gecko babies with good results too.
But a good plus for me has been with Albey's Perlite method in the egg hatching boxes. For me now, from start to finish, no wondering if its too wet. Albey's method is great..Perlite is not going to Hold water like vermiculite, perlite is a volcanic drainage material. The water goes to the bottom but humidity stays in the container....no holes in the lid....pop the lid once a week to keep from having moisture on the inside of the lid to drip on the eggs. Has been much less problems for me. This method seems to be solid for me with out spending incubator dollars for the females...........
Take care. HJ [/COLOR]

 

[yellermelon]

I personally dont think the hovabators are too "uneconomic" Its everything you need in one swipe.

 

[AntMan612]

I personally dont think the hovabators are too "uneconomic" Its everything you need in one swipe.

That's a good point. Although $40-50 isn't expensive, I've been reading that the temperature control is less than desireable, so some people are adding temperature controllers to their setups. If that's truly the case, the $40-50 pays for a styrofoam container, heating cable, and thermometer. I haven't seen a Hova-Bator in person, yet (just blurry pictures); isn't that all it is???

 

[Fanner]

I am probably the furthest thing on this site from a professional, but here is what I have for a setup: Large styrofoam cooler, mason jar full of water with an aquarium heater clamped onto the side immersed in the water, rubbermaid container with vermiculite and a probe thermometer. Oh, and one of those lame dial type of hydrometers. There is some temperature fluctuations based on the temp of the room that it is in, but only from 82-85 degrees. Usually stays around 84. This will also only hold a few eggs, as I am not a professional breeder. Hopefully I will know exactly how successful it is in the next few weeks:main_thumbsup:

 

[GeckoGathering]

Buy a Bator/Build a Bator????

I personally don't think the hovabators are too "uneconomic" Its everything you need in one swipe. I certainly agree
with you, if you are comparing having $45 to buy one or $30 to build one. But for a free oven on a range with a light bulb and a switch that has a $3 investment it is sometimes worth wild to that person just starting with geckos. He or she may wonder if they will be ebaying a bator later on because the gecko hobby is not for him or her. If you enjoy gecko hatching you can still get the incubator later at about the same price. Take care. Hj