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Dollar Store Incubator

manog

manog

Closet Creation Herps
Not everything is from the Dollar Store but most of it is. I thought i would share this with those who are interested. It seems like there are questions on here all the time about making your own. This is my second year using this set-up. Last year i had a 100% hatch rate. Enjoy!

Items bought from Dollar Store:

Styrofoam Cooler
Metal Cooling Rack
Picture Frame
Egg Box

Items bought from a Reptile Store:

A-Life Thermostat - $20.00
20 Gallon Under Tank Heater. $10? (had it laying around)

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Items Bought at WalMart:

Food Gram Scale- $7.00

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I cut a square hole to place the glass from the picture frame in for a viewing window. I used hot glue to secure it.

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Hook the thermostat to the heat mat and place the heat mat at the bottom of the cooler (it should fit perfectly)

Drop the cooling rack into the cooler until it comes to rest securley (no need to glue or anything. The narrowing of the cooler holds the rack in place securely.

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Place the thermostat probe in the egg box with eggs and put the lid all the way on the egg box (no air holes)

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Place the lid of the incubator on the cooler and wait for eggs!!!

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Wow, it looks great! Two questions. How much do you think it was total? And what was the food scale for?

Thanks
 
Thank you!

To answer your questions:

I think the total cost was about $30.00. The most expensive part being the thermostat. They key for me was that most of the stuff was laying around.

I use the gram scale to weigh my females before, throughout, and after they are gravid. This helps me keep accurate records to make comparisons. Some people actually weigh eggs as well to follow their progression.
 
Okay I assumed that's all you were using the scale for, but I was just a bit confused since it was in the list but wasn't used for the actual incubator. I don' think it could be used for the incubator anyway!

And $30!! That's great! I still think I'll end up buying a hova-bator, but it's nice to know to make one when and if I will. Thanks.
 
But how????

That sounds (and looks) like a great set-up; but how do you control the tempature? And what about the humidity?
 
The temp. is controlled by the thermostat. You attach the thermostat to the heat pad, place the thermostat probe in the egg box, and set the thermostat to 82 degrees.

Rather than trying to regulate the humidity in the whole incubator, i close the lid completly on the egg box only regulating the humidity within the egg container. I know the humidity is just right when there is a light fog on the lid of the egg box. If there is more than a light fog (drips, etc.) i wipe the moisture off the top and place a few cotton balls in the box to soak up the extra moisture unitl it is just right. The idea is that it is easier to regulate something in smaller scale.

The purpose of the incubator is to provide heat, the purpose of the egg box is humidity.
 
Chris, EXCELLENT construction journal!

THANKS!!!

One quick question, can you give us some information about your substrate mix and how much water you use to creat the necessary humidity level?

Also, how about the size of the container the substrate and eggs go?

THANKS!
 
Seems good but what about hot spots and cold spots? To ensure there arn't any, place a small fan (CPU fan) in the top corner hooked up to a 12volt converter. This makes sure the hear is distibuted equally. Just my 2cents. Good price though.
 
Wow, clever idea with the cpu fan!! I had always been worried about uneven warmth in home made incubators. That's very clever!
 
tbtusk said:
Wow, clever idea with the cpu fan!! I had always been worried about uneven warmth in home made incubators. That's very clever!
Click to expand...
Thank you, just trying to be helpful.

ljw2 said:
That sounds (and looks) like a great set-up; but how do you control the tempature? And what about the humidity?
Click to expand...
Thermostats are always a must (with any heating device used on animals IMO) and if that $20 A-Life t-stat keeps perfect temps for you, then keep doing what your doing. I would prefer the Ranco t-stats or even better the Helix. They are more expensive but very reliable and thats whats important when it comes to our snakes. As long as temps are correct and stable, everythings good. Thanks for the plans, I may use some of your ideas in the future, great job.
 
PACorn said:
Chris, EXCELLENT construction journal!

THANKS!!!

One quick question, can you give us some information about your substrate mix and how much water you use to creat the necessary humidity level?

Also, how about the size of the container the substrate and eggs go?

THANKS!
Click to expand...

Thank you all for the kind words. I use regular vermiculite- med-large grain. In the past i would place water in the vermiculite until it was clumpy and than i would squeez all the excess water out. That worked just fine for me. This year i tried something different that i really liked. I took a ziplock bag and placed the vermic. inside. Then i filled a spray bottle full of warm drinking water. I would spray a little water in the bag and then shake the vermic around inside untill it was clumpy. The end result was great- less mess, moisture was more evenly disbursed , and i didnt have to ring any water out. As far as measurements of water/ vermiculite- i never have kept or used any.

The egg container is an 8X8 dish- more than enough for 12 eggs.
 
Chase13 said:
Seems good but what about hot spots and cold spots? To ensure there arn't any, place a small fan (CPU fan) in the top corner hooked up to a 12volt converter. This makes sure the hear is distibuted equally. Just my 2cents. Good price though.
Click to expand...

I originally thought about this and looked into the CPU fan however after a little investigating it looked like too much to worry about. I have temp gunned all over the incubator at different times of day and and have only found 1-2 degree variances. When kept at 82 these degree variances pose no problem. To me it wasn't worth the trouble.

I agree that the ranco or helix thermostats are way better!!! They do cost a lot though! This set-up has been reliable and low cost- which is what i was aiming for. Thanks for the suggestions though!
 
Heating & Humidity

I didn't realize the heating pad had a regulator. That helps a lot!! I'm trying (without eggs!) a container with the vermiculite & water in a cooler filled with water. Then I put an aquarium heater in it. I'm trying to keep the 'nest' at 82 by adjusting the water temp. It seems to be okay, will be better once I get it set right! I don't know how to check the humidity though. I figured the water would give enough humidity. Last year, when I did have eggs, I had a very difficult time with the humidity. Any suggestions?
By the way, did you say how much that heater with the regulator costs? I couldn't find anything at my local pet store... of course it doesn't help when you live in a hick town!!
Lisa
 
Corns are not picky. As long as you keep it in the low 80's, high 70's they will hatch. I use the perlite and haven't had a problem with humidity at all. They were pretty much buried in there with some damp moss over the top to keep the eggs at the top from drying out. They all hatched no problem.
 
This is great. I might use this when/if I get eggs. That makes things less expensive and easy and makes me feel good about making something myself. Thanks.
 
Like MegF mentioned, corns are not too picky. If the temp fluctuates around 80 degrees than you are fine. The absolute best way to regulate humidity is to keep the eggs in an airtight container. You moisten the medium and then place the lid on. There should be a light fog on top of the container- if it is too humid than little water drops will form- don't panic, just wipe off the condensation and keep doing it until it is right. Sometimes if it is too humid i will put some cotton in there to soak up some of the moisture.

Also, the heat pad doesn't come with the thermostat... you have to buy them separately. Google 'A-life thermostat' and you will find places to buy them on line.
 
Also, the heat pad doesn't come with the thermostat... you have to buy them separately.


OOHH!! Thanks!
Lots of good ideas and help here, thanks to all!
 
This can help. I am planning on breeding ball pythons and corn snakes. Now I don't need to spend $300 on an incubator :) :) I'll try making it.
 
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