Incubator Tub Question

[AcePythons]

So I was looking at this link:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t=85740&page=3

And it popped up some questions in my head, as I am about to build my mini fridge incubator today.

I plan on putting the light grating above the substrate in order to be able to keep the substrate a bit wetter than normal so I dont have to worry about the eggs getting "too wet" if I accidentally put too much water in if the substrate is drying out....now, question being, I read on that link that people are putting their probes in the substrate - are those probes water proof? (I bought a Helix). I don't want to short out my themostat if the substrate is too wet.

Second question: If I was to put the thermostat outside of the tubs, say, on the bottom shelf in between the tubs, is glass shelves going to throw off the temp? Would I need to lower it or raise it because I have glass shelves?

I'm going to play around with it so I get a temp range between 88.5 and 89 degrees in the tubs (I have a couple months to play with it, but I have another smaller incubator running just in case.)

Any input is appreciated! Thanks!

[Dave Green]

Cat, I've experimented in the past and I now hang the probe in the middle of the incubator not touching anything. I've tried the probe in the egg box, in the substrate, etc. I found the temps are most consistent when the probe is outside the boxes just hanging there. One thing to consider though, at the end of the incubation process the eggs warm up. I use containers with 12 holes in them. I tape and cover up 9 of them until day 50, then I open up all 12 air holes to keep the eggs from heating up. I've seen discussions with several opinions and I'm sure you can do it other ways, this just works for me.

[AcePythons]

Cat, I've experimented in the past and I now hang the probe in the middle of the incubator not touching anything. I've tried the probe in the egg box, in the substrate, etc. I found the temps are most consistent when the probe is outside the boxes just hanging there. One thing to consider though, at the end of the incubation process the eggs warm up. I use containers with 12 holes in them. I tape and cover up 9 of them until day 50, then I open up all 12 air holes to keep the eggs from heating up. I've seen discussions with several opinions and I'm sure you can do it other ways, this just works for me.

Thank you David! So how exactly do you "hang" the probe?? Just string taped on the top and tied around the probe?

And if you put holes in them, do you need to add an extra open box of water on the bottom of the incubator to increase the humidity since some of the humidity in the tubs will be escaping?

Oh, and one more question! (sorry haha), Do you, or have you heard of anyone, putting a small (i mean like 1/4 inch or less) wedge under the tubs to keep the condensation rolled to the edge so it wont drip onto the eggs?

[Dave Green]

Cat, the probe comes into the side of the incubator and I have grating type shelves, I just hang the probe and keep it in place with one of those ties they used to tie up wires etc.

I use containers that are sold by Superior Enterprises. They come with the holes prepunched. I don't have extra water in the incubator. I just mix the vermiculite so it clumps, kind of old school. I don't measure or anything I just know the feel. I rarely need to add water. Once in a while I'll get eggs that look dry and I'll just spray the wall of the container with water. They don't seem to loose too much water over the 60 days.

I've heard of people using a wedge but I've never done it. My egg boxes only seem to steam up the first couple days as the egg/box/vermiculite adjust to the incubator temp. They also steam up at the end as they warm up. That's why I poke the holes and check every few days and wipe the lid dry.

Hope that helps

[Dave Green]

See how happy they are when they hatch .

[irishanaconda]

See how happy they are when they hatch .

lol showoff!! VERRRRRY NIIIICE CHAMP!!!
kat ur pastel ever ov?

[AcePythons]

Cute pic, Dave! Thanks for sharing! And YES SHANE! she did! On the 3rd! I'm so stoked!!