Any experience with/opinions on HOVABATORS?

[Kels88]

I was hoping to start breeding this season, but the male is a little small and seems more intimidated than frisky so it might have to wait. But I would like to be prepared ahead of time and have all the info I need.

From what I've seen, the main advantage of a homemade incubator over a hovabator is space, but we never plan to have more than one or two clutches at a time.

Our local farm supply store has the thermal heat wave ones (no turbo fan) for $45 and we plan to buy one unless someone convinces me otherwise! I'm leaning that way because of price, simplicity, and space.

From experience, are they reliable (steady temps, etc.)?
How long do they last?
What is the deal with those "heat wafer" things? What are they and how often do they have to be replaced?
Do they cause humidity issues?
About how many little gladware things fit in one?

Thanks in advance!

 

[CrousesCorns]

From experience, are they reliable (steady temps, etc.)? They hold temps pretty good. I set mine on 82 and place it in a room that the temps remain the same. I have a accurite temp/humidity guage in it from Wal-mart and it tells me the high and low for a 24 hour period. I have only see a +/- 2 degree change in mine.
How long do they last? I have had mine for 2 seasons now and still going good. Take care of it and it will last.
What is the deal with those "heat wafer" things? What are they and how often do they have to be replaced? Not sure how they function, but they are controled with a screw and a lock nut so you can get it where you want it and leave it alone. Haven't had any problems out of it yet.
Do they cause humidity issues? Nope there is small holes in the bottom and the lid. You can close the ones in the lid off to retain higher humidities.
About how many little gladware things fit in one? I am using the 6 inch deli cup that snakes come in and there is room for 4-5 or them. Smaller clutches can be place in smaller containers and more will fit. It is all up to the user.

My responses are in the blue and here is a link to the one I have. http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...mal-hova-bator-incubator-picture-window1582r/

I hope this helps you!!!

 

[Kels88]

Absolutely! Thanks!
Do you have ventilation holes in your deli cups or keep them airtight?
We have a digital probe thermometer with temp max/min memory, but the only hygrogometer (sorry I butchered the spelling) we have is one of the little round ones with a dial. It would be inconvenient to check.
When & where did you get the walmart one? I can't find one online. It would be nice to find one that is reasonably priced.

And does anybody know about the wafers?

 

[Kels88]

Oh, and the farm store doesn't carry the model with the picture window. Does that matter much? Won't the clutches have condensation so you can't see in anyways? How often could we check in on the eggs without messing up the temps and humidity?

So many questions! I feel like a little kid :laugh:

 

[darkmorning1]

there pretty cheap compared to many other incubator,but are not flashy so no fancy temp screens or read out screens...just foam box with a heating wafer, They get the job done, your never really going to have to replace anything, Just When you get it you have to twist on the Wafer (comes with Papers on what to do) its pretty easy to set it up, It does do pretty reliable temps, but you need to mess with it a bit to get it there, since its only a little "Stick" thing you turn right or left, it isn't very helpful when it comes to setting it to the temps, make sure you keep it in a cooler room then what you set it to...Mine are set at 80's And they have been known to make me $%^% because they jump to 86 now and again. i had mine for 2 years+ still working great. you can hold a good number of cups in there! good luck

 

[darkmorning1]

corn snake eggs are pretty Darn strong, its not like your going to kill the eggs if you open the lid for a bit, i dont keep holes in my egg bins (just because it would be to many to put holes in!) lol but i have done it with and without holes, your really not going to mess up humidity i never really watch it anyway, you will see the thing comes with a plastic bottom with Slots for water, i keep it filled up. it will run dry over time so check it. you will have to keep a eye on temps you can stick a prob down in the Bator (since there are holes in the lid itself) and watch the eggs from the window...(but really you can just open it) lol cornsnake eggs are pretty forgiving.

 

[CrousesCorns]

Do you have ventilation holes in your deli cups or keep them airtight? I just use the bottom part with no lid on the cup.
When & where did you get the walmart one? I got it last year from Wal-mart. Most inexpensive things like this won't be on their website. The one I have is wireless and runs off a AA battery.
And does anybody know about the wafers? I am sure you can search for how it works. I saw the replacement ones offered by LLL reptile and they were $14.??
Oh, and the farm store doesn't carry the model with the picture window. Does that matter much? No it doesn't matter at all. I prefer this one so I don't have to take the lid off as much. When you remove the lid your temps and humidities will drop to whatever is in the room is you have it set up in if you leave it off for along time.
Won't the clutches have condensation so you can't see in anyways? No, there is never any condensation on the plexiglass window. That is what the holes are for.
How often could we check in on the eggs without messing up the temps and humidity? If you get one with windows (small plexi windows and not solid) you can check them everyday all you want. Most people that don't even use a incubator check their eggs once a week or 2-3 times a week for temps and humidities.
So many questions! It's ok and we are happy to help you. Keep'em coming!

 

[CrousesCorns]

you will see the thing comes with a plastic bottom with Slots for water, i keep it filled up. it will run dry over time so check it.

I threw that thing out after the first year. My reasoning is that the hatchlings would get under it and in it. This made it hard to get them out without disturbing everything in the incubator. I use deli cups or glad cantainers now with enough medium. Start the medium off damp and place another empty container with just water in there with them.

I will have to get a picture of the way I have mine setup now. I have 3 cups and 1 container of water in it now.

The last picture on this thread is what the first ones look like. http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98482

 

[CrousesCorns]

Pictures

Here are the pics I wanted to get up.
1st one is the incubator on a table in the living room. We don't really use it often and it is the most peaceful room in the house.
2nd is looking in from the top. You can see everything in there.
3rd is with the lid off and you can see the accurite gauge I use and the range my hovabator has went in the past 24 hours. The empty bowl is for water and the paper towels I wet once in awhile to help with humidity.

Some of the modifications are: I don't use the water tray and metal screen, I cut pieces of window screen and hot glued them over the holes and it is taped to the top of the lid(nothing in and nothing out), and I used cups instead of a pile of medium on the bottom.

 

[Buzzard]

I love my hovabator(both of them) I leave my lids on my containers and put 1-2 holes in them for air exchange. I have probe in mine, inside the containers. which I got at Wal-mart.....My setup is similar to Crouses except my window is real small, and I have colored lids to seperate each clutch for quick id.

 

[Kels88]

Crouses- Thanks for the pics, very helpful!
Buzzard: Do you use an acu-rite for temps too?

I feel confident now about purchasing a hovabator, but I'm not throwing any money down til I see some action from the lovebirds lol.