HOva Bator

[Baker14]

My hova bator incubator came today. I was reading through the instructions and couldnt understand a few things aswell as I have a few ?s. Do the eggs go above the wired screen in there container? Should I sue the deli cups they give you for incubation containers? If so, what is the ratio of water to vermiculite i should use? What is the wafer for? and should I put a digital thermometer w/ probe in the incubator instead of the thermometer it comes with? If so, where does the probe go?

Thanks for all the help in advance.

 

[Baysidegeckos]

The eggs should go above the screen and into a deli cup, and the water is for Humidity.

 

[Baker14]

I understand tehy go in a deli cup and you add water for humidity. What is the water to vermiculite ratio for each deli cup? ALso, the plastic liner on the bottom has grooves to put water in. DO i need to fill these with water, or is it enough humidity in the deli cup?

 

[Ipsl]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1wyOZ_DE8PQ

 

[MSMD]

I don't have the plastic trays in my Hovabators at all. Just the screen with the deli cups on top.

And, I set up a "dummy cup": a deli cup that will not have any eggs, but that has a small hole in the side that I fed the probe through for my thermometer so that I have a better idea of the temps in the cups.

Hope that helps! Good luck!

 

[Baker14]

Thanks for the info.Do you use the deli cups it comes with? If so can you show me the vermiculite to water raito? thanks

 

[MSMD]

I did use the deli cups that came with the Hovabators (from LLL Reptile). I did, however, put a small piece of tape over all of the holes in the cups except for one on each cup. They dried out too quickly in my incubators with that many holes. I still find that I need to add a little water every now and then.

I don't have an exact measuring stratagy/ratio that I used for vermiculite-water. I just used everyone's advice for the 'snowball method'. I just slowly added water until the vermiculite could be easily formed into a 'snowball', but could still fall apart easily...if it doesn't fall apart easily, it is too moist. It is best to err on the side of a little dry than wet, as mold can be an issue.

I am by no means an expert, but this is what has worked for me thus far. My first eggs have been in the 'bator for 5 weeks and no mold and have proven fertile via candling. This is my first breeding season, so by all means if anyone has better suggestions.....

 

[yellermelon]

Also consider perlite from wal mart, 4 bucks a bag. I dont know wich will work better for you but if you go to Albeys website. He has a great page on how to incubate. I know alot of people here use his method with great success

 

[Baker14]

That is the method im going to use. I will also get perilite if it is recommended.

Thanks

 

[Baker14]

I jsut checked his website again and will buy all the supplies this week.

 

[yellermelon]

good luck finding those containers lol, I looked forever and still havent found them. I am pretty sure they do not make them any more. Ive been using the plastic containers with rubber around the edges. They work great.

 

[Baker14]

Do you use the same measurments Albey with his containers, while you use the containers you have?

 

[johnnyboy4783]

what temp do you guys keep you hovabator at?

 

[Baker14]

How tight are you supposed to screw in the wafer? ALso, what is the wafer for?

 

[Baker14]

Im having a bt=it of trouble heating up my Hova Bator. The wafer is connected(I think, I did screw it in all the way.) and it is plugged in. I left it plugged in for over 2 hours and it hasent heated up and the red light hasnt gone on. Is there something Im missing? Can someone explain how to work it?..lol Ive read and re read the manual, but it isnt very specific.

 

[The Sunset Gang]

after hooking up the wafer, you need to twist the thing to increase temps and let it regulate itself. All I did with mine was screw the wafer on and twist the metal screw thing.

 

[The Sunset Gang]

I have my hovabator around 84. The lowest it has read has been 81.9 highest 84.2. So it isn't too bad.

 

[Baker14]

I did screw everything in, but it wont turn on?

 

[Baker14]

Thanks for the help, I got it to work...finally!

 

[Baker14]

Never mind, it still wont heat up. I have screwed the bolt and the wafer into place. Should I make the wafer touch that button on the thermostat? How far should the wafer screw in?