hummm... *dent* what to do

[MXWreptile]

We are talking about the SIM container. And it is closed, so it is useless to put water on the floor.



Max

 

[Johnantny]

Have any of you just used water or water crystals? I had a mix of both with great results- thing is, I think its all about the incubator, the room temperature the incubator is in and how the heat is generated- below, above, circulated... My incubator is in a room no less than 80F, and the air is not circulated.

 

[MXWreptile]

I tried pure water, but it was not more then 65% of humidity.


Max

 

[MXWreptile]

I was cleaning geckos today, and saw much condensation in my wetboxes when I checked them for eggs. I'm using spaghnum moos as substrate in them. So I thought why not try it in the SIM container. I set up a container with moist spaghnum moos, and couldn't believe my eyes when I took a look on the Hydrometer: 78%.:main_laugh: Condensation was around one inch over the grid.:main_thumbsup: Now I put them into my new incubator, and I hope I can get 85%+ with this substrate.:main_yes:

My theory is, that spaghnum moos can heaten up faster, because it is lightener and heat can go faster into the substrate.



Max

 

[robin]

what are the inside temps running? i am wondering if the combination of high humidity in an airless container and add heat is causing a type of green house effect making the temps go up (i have seen people having problems with temps being too high). thing is, if you vent it to let more air in, you might not reach the desired humidity and your eggs may dent and go bad.
these were some thing i was thinking about last night when i read this thread.

 

[MXWreptile]

I have around 2 °C more in the SIM.



Max

 

[Gregg M]

Robin, the common denominator here seems to be the Hovabator... The issue with the SIM not being able to gain humidity seems to be due to the fact that the Hovabator has a top heat convection action... Thanks to Eric @ Oregon Gecko, we have come to the conclution that the air in the egg chamber of the SIM is heating up before the substrate can release the moisture... This seem to only be an issue in the Hovabator... No one using a proper incubator has had an issue...

This issue has prompted John and myself to construct an incubator designed spacifically to incubate reptile eggs with the use of a proper thermostat instead of that rediculous waffer... They will be SLIGHTLY more expensive than a Hovabator because of the proper thermostat but they will be much less expensive than current models of incubators...

We are setting out to create an entire SIM incubation system complete with incubator, containers, and incubation substrate premixed and dry... It should be avaiable in the next month...

 

[MXWreptile]

Robin, the common denominator here seems to be the Hovabator... The issue with the SIM not being able to gain humidity seems to be due to the fact that the Hovabator has a top heat convection action... Thanks to Eric @ Oregon Gecko, we have come to the conclution that the air in the egg chamber of the SIM is heating up before the substrate can release the moisture... This seem to only be an issue in the Hovabator... No one using a proper incubator has had an issue...

This issue has prompted John and myself to construct an incubator designed spacifically to incubate reptile eggs with the use of a proper thermostat instead of that rediculous waffer... They will be SLIGHTLY more expensive than a Hovabator because of the proper thermostat but they will be much less expensive than current models of incubators...

We are setting out to create an entire SIM incubation system complete with incubator, containers, and incubation substrate premixed and dry... It should be avaiable in the next month...

Hi Gregg,

this was also my thought. The SIM is nearly cold on bottom in the hovabator.

I put them in my new incubator, and they are everywhere at the same temperature, and humidity seems also to get higher...:main_thumbsup:


Max

 

[goReptiles]

The egg was not see through like that until i used the paper towel on it. It is fertile. I put light up to it to see veins creeping up sides. ill keep working with it till it molds.

I've had eggs with veins never hatched. Cut them open well post due date, and no fetus inside.



Gregg, when do you think that your incubator will release? I have considered the SIM containers, but I'm glad I have not purchased as I am using hovabators. I was going to purchase a reptile incubator, but they're all priced so high. You say yours will be in-between the hovabator and the average reptile incubators?

 

[Gregg M]

Gregg, when do you think that your incubator will release? I have considered the SIM containers, but I'm glad I have not purchased as I am using hovabators. I was going to purchase a reptile incubator, but they're all priced so high. You say yours will be in-between the hovabator and the average reptile incubators?

Hey,
We will have some available within the month of March... Hopefully early in March... We are going to price them slightly higher than the hovabator because the materials used will be much higher in quality but the prices will be much lower than other models... We are also going to have a couple of different sizes and this will also affect the pricing...

 

[robin]

This issue has prompted John and myself to construct an incubator designed spacifically to incubate reptile eggs with the use of a proper thermostat instead of that rediculous waffer... They will be SLIGHTLY more expensive than a Hovabator because of the proper thermostat but they will be much less expensive than current models of incubators....

what about people who use a hobavator but bypass the wafer thermostat with a "proper thermostat"?
people are going to have all kinds of incubators. natures spirit, reptipro5000, lyons and various types of homemade incubators. what about when it may not work in these? are people going to have to buy a complete new incubator AND incubation medium to hatch out eggs?

i think your best bet is to try and change the design of the actual SIM so it works on most incubators no matter what thermostat, heating element (no matter where it is placed) or fan (or no fan for circulation) instead of making a incubator and adding a special medium for it to work.

i am not trying to come across assy just putting out some opinions and such.

 

[herpencounter]

what about people who use a hobavator but bypass the wafer thermostat with a "proper thermostat"?
people are going to have all kinds of incubators. natures spirit, reptipro5000, lyons and various types of homemade incubators. what about when it may not work in these? are people going to have to buy a complete new incubator AND incubation medium to hatch out eggs?

i think your best bet is to try and change the design of the actual SIM so it works on most incubators no matter what thermostat, heating element (no matter where it is placed) or fan (or no fan for circulation) instead of making a incubator and adding a special medium for it to work.

i am not trying to come across assy just putting out some opinions and such.

I have to agree with Robin.

 

[paulnj]

Let's face it. Only gecko breeders use a crappy styrofoam cooler with a warm metal ring in the lid The SIM is being used for snakes, lizards, monitors, and geckos.

Gregg and John are trying to help those who can't afford a proper incubator to reach maximum hatch rates.

I can cook anything in a hovabator including dinner, but that's me.

 

[robin]

Let's face it. Only gecko breeders use a crappy styrofoam cooler with a warm metal ring in the lid The SIM is being used for snakes, lizards, monitors, and geckos.

i don't and i am sure there are many others who don't either

i have hatched out six different types of gecko, three types of snakes and beardies in a hobavator. what do you think some of the old timers used before they started coming out with all these fancy "new" incubators

the basics of SIM incubation has been around a long time just made with "basic" materials (plastic grates, foam egg crate etc). so the idea of the SIM is tried and true but i think this "new" design and material may be where they problem lies.

oh yeah paul if you can cook anything in a hobavator why would you need a SIm? ;P

 

[paulnj]

Well, I am using the hova due to space restraint currently and am having little to no denting issues.

THE MANY OTHERS you mentioned don't have an issue

 

[Gregg M]

i think your best bet is to try and change the design of the actual SIM so it works on most incubators no matter what thermostat, heating element (no matter where it is placed) or fan (or no fan for circulation) instead of making a incubator and adding a special medium for it to work.

Sorry Robin, but I am not going to change the design of my container because one type of incubator does not work well with the SIM...

The problem is, and I have been sayig this for years, long before the SIM was even a thought, that Hovabators are great for bird eggs... That is why the heating element is on the top... It is to replicate the heat that birds give off when they sit on top of their eggs... Reptile eggs should not be given a top heat...

i have hatched out six different types of gecko, three types of snakes and beardies in a hobavator. what do you think some of the old timers used before they started coming out with all these fancy "new" incubators

Well if the hova was so great, why have you switched to the fancy incubator??? LOL...
Like many aspects in the hobby, with more information comes evolution...

I understand that some people will continue to use a Hovabator... They are cheap and can be used to hatch reptile eggs... People have also hatched reptile eggs with the old glass aquarium and fish tank heater... Is that a method you would recommend because it has worked in the past???

In my opinion it is way past the time to move away from Hovabators and to offer a proper incubator for reptiles at a reasonable price... If you think about it, why would you use a $40 incubator made to hatch chickens in a classroom when you are potentionally putting hundreds, even thousands of dollars worth of eggs in it...

so the idea of the SIM is tried and true but i think this "new" design and material may be where they problem lies.

How can you come to that conclustion when you are #1, not using the SIM and #2, when the only people having an issue are those using a Hovabator??? There have been hundreds of reptiles hatched on this container...

 

[SophiaDarcie]

I use plastic egg crate on top of perlite as my incubating method. I put 1" of medium in a 4"x8" container, drench it in water, place the egg crate on top of it lightly, then place the eggs inside it.

It's very similar to the SIM. In a month's time I'll be purchasing a SIM and using them side by side in my ReptiPro to see which is better. Better as in the elevation of the eggs above the medium. Since the eggs in my DIY sit 1cm above the medium the humidity reaches them easier. Should be interesting how it plays out.

 

[KelliH]

Please try to keep the discussion on the topic of the product itself. It's ok to discuss the SIM but keep it constructive please.

 

[goReptiles]

what about people who use a hobavator but bypass the wafer thermostat with a "proper thermostat"?

I still would like to hear the response to this one... Greg, what if someone is using a hovabator with a proper thermostat, will this affect the use of the SIM?

I've never had problems with the hovabators that were caused by the incubator itself. I have three that I use, and part of me wants a new "fancy" incubator, but if I've never had problems, why should I spend the money and change? (Honest question, not trying to be smart)

 

[Gregg M]

I still would like to hear the response to this one... Greg, what if someone is using a hovabator with a proper thermostat, will this affect the use of the SIM?

I've never had problems with the hovabators that were caused by the incubator itself. I have three that I use, and part of me wants a new "fancy" incubator, but if I've never had problems, why should I spend the money and change? (Honest question, not trying to be smart)

Hey Whitney,
Honestly, the Hovabator is not a proper incubator for reptiles even if the thermostat is switched... I have said this for years long before the SIM was produced... Sure it can be used for reptiles but it is not the best a breeder can do...
The Hovabator is made to hatch birds... The top heat replicates the radiant heat a bird gives off to the eggs she is sitting on... Reptile eggs are not natually incubated by a radiant heat source from above... If they were, they would dry out even in damp substrate...

I understand that many will still use a hovabator... If that is the case, than the SIM incubation container may not be for those people as there seems to be a problem only with the SIM hovabator combo...

Robin suggested that we change our product because it does not work in one incubator type... This is not an option... We can not change our product because of the issue only present in a hovabator...

What we are doing in responce to this issue as mentioned before is offering an entire incubation system... This will include an incubator (2 sizes), X number of SIM containers at a reduced price and an optional incubation substate, dry or premixed...

Those who have bought a SIM container from us before this thread and are using Hovabators will get our new incubator at a dicounted price...

I think that is pretty fair and it might actually get people away from using chicken incubators to incubate reptile eggs...

So why spend the money and change???
To use better products that were spacifically designed to hatch reptile eggs, To evolve in your hobby, to increase your chances of hatching eggs, to shorten incubation times, to produce stronger hatchlings, or to just have a cool looking incubation set up...

If you do not want to spend the money because you are happy with your results you have so far, that is fine and totally understandable...

The point is, we stand by our product and are helping to change the way things are done for the better... Our customer service is top notch and we can be reached at any time...

We are working to sort this single issue with our customers who are using the Hovabator...

Again, I want to thank Eric Bristow for working to figure out the problem with the SIM Hovabator combo...