Incubator - 10 Gallon Tank?

[BrianaK]

I googled DIY incubator and someone posted something about making one with a 10 gallon aquarium but didn't post any pictures so I was confused. Can you do this, have you done this, if so does it work, what do you seal the top with andddd...pictures please? thanks! (IMO, I feel like this wouldn't work well because glass doesn't hold heat good but I'm just curious!)

[ted1025]

Not sure if it was a 10 gallon but I've seen it done in a tank before. I'd post the pictures but it's from a thread on another site and I'm not sure if I'm allowed to do that

[Oxylepy]

Glass transfers heat too easily, as you stated, however if you wanted to put one inside of a cooler or surround it in insulation of some kind, that would work, but it's probably more work than it's worth. If you kept it in a room, as well, with the proper temperature then that would work.

The nice thing about it is the size, you could put multiple clutches in it and somehow tier them, as well as keep a substrate in the base, but really it's more work than it's worth.

[dr del]

Hmmm?

An incubator so low tech it's embarassing you say? I'm yer muppet.







It is simply an aquarium with polystyrene siliconed arround it for insulation and a shelf support siliconed inside about half way up.

The bottom third contains water with an aquarium heater and a small waterpump (and I only added that this year as an experiment ) which provides both the heat and humidity for the eggs in open topped boxes. I put meash lids on them just before they hatch to prevent unplanned swimming lessons by the hatchlings.

The water also provides the thermal ballast to quickly restore the heat after the lid has been opened.

It's worked for me for years but, if I had to build a new one, I would probably recommend a good thermostat and a heat pad instead and sealed egg boxes with bottles of water providing the thermal balast.

I'm holding out for a glass fronted fridge but the locals are being unco-operative about discarding any.


dr del

[BrianaK]

HAHA. Thanks Dr Del for making me feel like not an idiot Thats pretty sweet though, it definitely saves money!

[jben]

Derek, i like the T2 cover.

[pitoon]

Hmmm?

An incubator so low tech it's embarassing you say? I'm yer muppet.







It is simply an aquarium with polystyrene siliconed arround it for insulation and a shelf support siliconed inside about half way up.

The bottom third contains water with an aquarium heater and a small waterpump (and I only added that this year as an experiment ) which provides both the heat and humidity for the eggs in open topped boxes. I put meash lids on them just before they hatch to prevent unplanned swimming lessons by the hatchlings.

The water also provides the thermal ballast to quickly restore the heat after the lid has been opened.

It's worked for me for years but, if I had to build a new one, I would probably recommend a good thermostat and a heat pad instead and sealed egg boxes with bottles of water providing the thermal balast.

I'm holding out for a glass fronted fridge but the locals are being unco-operative about discarding any.


dr del

every now and then i see something that impresses me.....your incubator is one of those things! it's amazing what people will do to make things work for them and their hobby.

good work!

Pitoon

[BrianaK]

Pitoon, I agree.