New incubator idea

has anyone built an incubator out of melamine before?

Thinking about creating a cabinet with wooden frame and glass door.

Four shelves will hold the egg boxes with space back and front for air circulated by two fans.

heating will be provided by heating pads and any empty shelves will get water bottles for temperature stability.

I have a unit called CompuCombo made locally in SA which measures temp and humidity. I can get a mist generator if I want. I dont know if the damp vermiculite will provide enough moisture to increase the humidity or not.

What you think of the idea?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lockes

has anyone built an incubator out of melamine before?

Thinking about creating a cabinet with wooden frame and glass door.

Four shelves will hold the egg boxes with space back and front for air circulated by two fans.

heating will be provided by heating pads and any empty shelves will get water bottles for temperature stability.

I have a unit called CompuCombo made locally in SA which measures temp and humidity. I can get a mist generator if I want. I dont know if the damp vermiculite will provide enough moisture to increase the humidity or not.

What you think of the idea?

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you need the humidity inside the egg boxes, not the whole incubator. For the price of melamine and weight, why not find an old fridge?

Here is my incubator for this season. It is made from a Closet Maid 30" wide cabinet unit from HD. Insulation, heat tape, shelving and a fan at the top. Perfection!

http://www.glassreptiles.com/picture.../incubator.jpg

Mainly because I have enough spare melamine left over after building the new racks and then I have to actually find the fridge.

What is the reason for not having the entire incubator have the correct humidity instead of egg boxes?open egg boxes?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lockes

Mainly because I have enough spare melamine left over after building the new racks and then I have to actually find the fridge.

What is the reason for not having the entire incubator have the correct humidity instead of egg boxes?open egg boxes?

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You want to keep those egg boxes sealed. It will keep the proper temps and humidity. No need to humidify the whole incubator if you have the proper vermiculite/water mixture and a sealed egg box.

Thats great JDGLASS38.....did you put any seal for when you close the doors?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lockes

Thats great JDGLASS38.....did you put any seal for when you close the doors?

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Nope. I was going to put a piece of insulation overlapping one of the doors but my snake room is 82-84 degrees. I didn't see the need and in the end, the temps stayed perfect throughout.