Incubators...

OK. So, the only times I have successfully bred in the past were using natural methods. I have two tanks, now, where a male would reside in one tank to "relax" and regain his stamina after being in the tank with the female for a while. I have had my female produce eggs in the past, and I let her take care of her own clutch... It was hit and miss... One time, her entire clutch failed, and they rotted. The following attempt was a success, and she produced five hatchlings.

I'm trying to get into breeding more so, so I'm considering purchasing an incubator for her eggs, to ensure that her clutch actually hatches.

I'm new to the incubator method... Before things kick off and I have eggs on my hands to deal with, I'm trying to get any advice anyone is willing to throw at me.

Can you advise me on the incubator-use route of successful hatching?

Thanks in advance,

Zachary.

if your only having a few clutches then a diy cooler is the cheapest way to go. i built this one yesterday it will hold my 2 clutches and i have about $5 in to it.
http://i512.photobucket.com/albums/t...s/100_1330.jpg

How do you set and control the temp on that??

i still need to pickup a thermostat most likely a helix or herpstat

Given that although I am quite good at putting stuff together and making things work mechanically sound, I'm no expert on applying electronics in the same, seamless fashion.

Do you mind providing instructions on how you built it? Or could anyone else recommend a small, one-clutch-at-a-time incubator that could do the job?

I have been looking at the Zoo Med Reptibator Egg Incubator, found it on Amazon for about 100 including shipping... Hoping to find something cheaper, but I haven't come across anything as of yet.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...oler-incubator

This one is a "nice" cooler incubator, you can make it as simple or complex as you want but its easy to make. You just need a good thermostat.

I was given this link by Dr. Del regarding setting up an incubator.

http://www.reptileradio.net/reptiler...ad.php?t=18384

Also here is one for wiring the fan

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-Incubator-Fan!

I am not breeding at the moment (next years plan) at least for me it represents a investment in time. I don't have a lot of free time so what I have is very valuable to me. The effort spent in breeding and having a successful clutch to then trust it to a home build thing just isn't worth it. The cost of building an incubator is really much higher than just materials

bits of hardware 10$ (guessing here)
Controller 100$
Time (2.5 hours guess again) $275
Testing time (1 hour) $110
Answer...
http://www.poultrysupply.com/reptile...php#juragonStd

This is just my rationalization maybe you have a lot more time than I do and really want to build things and fiddle with them that is awesome, I am jealous I simply do not have time wiring flexwatt is bad enough!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kitedemon

I am not breeding at the moment (next years plan) at least for me it represents a investment in time. I don't have a lot of free time so what I have is very valuable to me. The effort spent in breeding and having a successful clutch to then trust it to a home build thing just isn't worth it. The cost of building an incubator is really much higher than just materials

bits of hardware 10$ (guessing here)
Controller 100$
Time (2.5 hours guess again) $275
Testing time (1 hour) $110
Answer...
http://www.poultrysupply.com/reptile...php#juragonStd

This is just my rationalization maybe you have a lot more time than I do and really want to build things and fiddle with them that is awesome, I am jealous I simply do not have time wiring flexwatt is bad enough!

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You could also find a mini fridge cheap like $20,
2 ft flex-watt wired $10.00,
Hydrofarm thermostat $28,
accurite $11

In the past i used a hovabator with perfect results.It can be found at your local farm supply store at around $45.They are normaly sold for hatching chicken eggs and its the same exact one sold at reptile supply places just not the added price :gj:.