How to set up a hovabator?

[skyline]

I just got home from the store with my new Hovabator. And I'm wondering how to set it up do i have to do the whole water thing like it says in the instructions because those are the instructions for bird eggs. How do i set it up for lizard eggs?

thanks for the info TY

 

[acpart]

The simplest way:
Get a digital thermometer that has a probe that you can put into the hobovator. Turn on the hobovator, let it go all night and in the morning check the temperature. Turn tne metal piece at the top in the direction indicated to make the temp. higher or lower. Wait 5-10 minutes after each adjustment to let the temperature stabilize. You can put a container of water in there which is supposed to make the temp. more even. I don't.

One step up (and more reliable):
You may notice that the temperature varies over time. For less variation (and better incubation success) get a proportional thermostat (do a search to find suggestions of which one. I use a Big Apple which was the best price a few years ago). It will probably run you somewhere over $100. Turn the temperature adjustment on the hobovator way up. Plug the hobovator into the proportional thermostat. Plug the proportional thermostat into the outlet. Set the prop. therm. to the temp you want and go through the adjustment described above.

Aliza

 

[skyline]

thanks allot and whats the water to vermiculite ratio?

 

[fallen_angel]

1 to 1 for vermiculite, .8 to 1 for perlite

 

[lytlesnake]

1 to 1 for vermiculite, .8 to 1 for perlite

Ah, that explains why my vermiculite has seemed a little dry, I've been using .8 to 1. Thanks very much for the info!!

 

[GeckoJunkie]

Also if you will put a drink bottle of water in the hov you will find that the temps will stay alot more even and steady!!!!