Bad Bator??

[Hilltop]

So i planned to build a fridge type bator, but ran out of time looking for just the right stand up freezer. So I bought a exp terra incubator. I it seems to hold fairly good, problem being that the top rack is 2 degrees warmer then the bottom. So basicly it the set up is like this, Bator set for 94 degrees, this keeps the bottom tub at 86.5 and the top at 88.5. From what I have read I should be able to incubate my 2 clutches even with the differance. So I am looking for you all to put my mind at ease or kick my butt enough to get my big bator built LOL. Also should I try and squeak up the temps a bit to get the top to 89.5 is and the bottom up to 87ish, or should I just leave it alone. I am think that if they will incubate at the slightly cooler temp I would not risk setting my incubator up that high cause I am a little nervous of over cooking my eggs, and then the bator would be set for like 96 or 97 and if it did get up to that temp my eggs would be done for.

chris

[Don]

I am not familiar with that incubator. Can you install a small fan to circulate air? If you are getting uneven temps, the air may not be getting enough circulation.

You might be better off building a small incubator out of an old cooler (ice chest type). There are a lot of good threads and illustrations on how to do that with some heat tape, fan and some bottles of water. Same theory as the large freezer, but on a smaller scale.

[J.Vandegrift]

Something is not right if you have to set your incubator at 94 to maintain the temps that you want. I would definitely not be comfortable setting my incubator that high. I have never used that incubator but it looks like a pretty cool unit. What are you using to measure the temp? If you don't already, I would get a good quality lab grade thermometer in there to confirm the temps.

[aalomon]

I feel your pain (though honestly, it was more of a slight annoyance). I kept mine on the slightly lower end, because too cool is much better than too hot. Im currently on day 48 and everyone if doing fine.

[sookieball]

i had the same problem and im using the zoomed reptibator.

but i have the therm set to 92 and the temp in the eggs is at 88.9-88.4 all day.

just make sure you have a therm in the container with the eggs and you should be able to fix the temp ...

also dont open the door often because then your just gonna be fighting with the temp more often.

[Don]

One other thing. Fill it up with pre-prepared egg boxes so that it helps stabilize the temperatures. I found in my large incubator that it was stable without egg boxes, but when I added egg boxes (with eggs) the temperature did not settle down where it should have. I thought having a case of bottled water in the freezer would do the job, but it wasn't enough.

Good luck!

[Hilltop]

thanks everyone, I will be building my new bator soon, but until then my set up looks just like the one picuted execpt i am using 2 larger tubs intead of the 4 little ones. Glad to hear that aalomon's eggs are doing fine. keep me posted on how it turns out for ya.

[mpkeelee]

ya i have the same one and mine is set for 95 to keep my top shelf at 89 and the bottom shelf is at 87. i have two probed thermometers in there and they say the same thing. one is the one that came with it and one is an acurite. also, the warm air kills the humidty so keep an eye on ur humidity in the tubs. i guess its not bad for one or two clutches but im gonna build on thats gonna be much better.