need help with a diy sim incubator build

[mikesgeckoz]

can anyone who has built their own incubator using one of those sim containers please show me some pics i need some inspiration. My first attempt was unsuccessful since i couldnt keep the temp in the sim container under 100f. I was using a styrofoam container i got when i ordered fish online, a heating cable, a rheostat and a temp/humidity tester (the probes are attatched to a wire so i can read it outside the box). It kept the temp constant but it was just too hot even with the rheostat all the way down. Im planning on using a larger cooler hopefully that will displace the heat enough so i can keep it at a lower constant temp. Any help is appreciated thanks

 

[Gregg M]

When it comes to building an incubator, you have a few good options... You can make them from styrofoam fish boxes, beer coolers, and wine refridgerators... All of these can be built for under 100 bucks...

You need a proper thermostat, not a rheostat...
You also want to use heat tape instead of heat cable...
It is also best to place the heating element on the bottom and not on the top...

Here are a few examples of the incubators we built to test our SIM containers in...

Styrofoam fish box incubator

Beer cooler incubator

Wine refrigerator incubator

 

[Johnantny]

I have both soda cooler incubators available with thermostats if anyone is interested. Works like a charm.

John

 

[Imperial Geckos]

Greg, in the wine incubator you built, you only have heat on the bottom? I have seen many people but it along the back wall and the bottom, also it looks like its rolled up, any reason for that? Why do you prefer on just the bottom? I will be building one soon, so any information is greatly appreciated..you guys are the incubation experts :main_thumbsup:

 

[mikesgeckoz]

well i got it working right ill post some pics later and yea i do need a thermostat to regulate it properly. what thermostat are you using?

 

[Johnantny]

We have 2 kinds of Thermostats in use. The styro coolers are using BigApple non proportional BAH-1000DC's and the wine chillers are using BigApple Power Herp Proportional. The heat tape on floor works well for us. Originally, the heat tape ran up the back and ended over the ceiling. After a few years the velcro holding it in place gave out, I got lazy about re attaching it and left it on the floor. Hasn't been an issue though, we hatched a bunch of things bottom heated.

 

[mikesgeckoz]

thanks i just got the same big apple proportional thermostat n im gonna get heat tape at the show on Sunday but the heat cable is workin fine for now

 

[Johnantny]

Stop by and say hello... we will be at Bob's Geckos table at White Plains.

 

[Gregg M]

I have seen many people but it along the back wall and the bottom, also it looks like its rolled up, any reason for that? Why do you prefer on just the bottom?

With the first wine refridgerator incubator we built it was up the back wall... It eventually dropped down and coiled up on the bottom... Now we do not bother putting it up the back wall on any of our incubators and it works perfectly... From what I have seen, the heat seems more stable and evenly distributed this way...

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Do you have any fans built into any of those bators? Or are they small enough that there isn't need to add a fan to distrubute heat?

 

[Gregg M]

Do you have any fans built into any of those bators? Or are they small enough that there isn't need to add a fan to distrubute heat?

These are actually pretty big bators... No need for a fan in my opinion... Careful placement of the probe goes a long way to get you temps right...

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

hmmm sweet. i was just curious more then anything else. We use the standard size NS bators which IMO are pretty big and deep and they have fans installed. just thought i would ask

 

[Gregg M]

I dont know if it helps but our wine refridgerator incubators are roughly 6 to 7 cubic feet...

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

ok thats about the same size as the NS Bator 24x24x19 which is 6.33 Cubic Feet. Does the wine cooler have more depth or isit more wide? I'm just wondering to see if there is a difference in air flow between depth and width. Sorry if i'm asking to many questions.

 

[Imperial Geckos]

These are actually pretty big bators... No need for a fan in my opinion... Careful placement of the probe goes a long way to get you temps right...

Where would be the best place to place the probe on a 6-7 cubic foot wine fridge style incubator?