Incubator question....

Okay, I've seen and have plans to build the cooler version of incubator, and MIGHT be able to scrounge an aquarium tank for that type.....

Has anyone ever built and / or used the Igloo cooler, but with just water, bricks and an aquarium heater and thermostat control???? Basically combining bits and parts of the two different types of DIY incubators???

Thanks!

I haven't, but it should work fine. I would modify it a bit and use a cooler with a powerful submersible heater (more watts than you think you would need), and use a good thermostat. And instead of just using bricks and water, I would use wet sand or perlite or something, both to prevent it from sloshing and to hold more heat. Flexwatt or a UTH would probably do a better job if the cooler is any larger than 24-30 quarts or so. Any larger than that and you want to throw a 40mm-60mm fan in there, too, to eliminate hot spots. A good thermostat (Herpstat) and an over-sized heat source are the keys to a dependable incubator.

Hi,

I have an extremely ooogly incubator set up at the moment. :oops:

It is nothing but an insulated fishtank with an aquarium heater with built in thermostat and some shelving supports siliconed in about half way up.

I can't find an aquarium heater without an inbuilt thermostat for love nor money and people round here are not allowed to throw out fridges without arranging pickups that day. It's driving me nuts. :rage:

However, ugly as it undoubtably is, it has hatched two clutches of ball python eggs, several clutches of corn snake eggs, and innumerable leopard gecko eggs over the years.

I test and adjust it long before I expect eggs and have had to replace the water heater fairly often - but in an emergency it is cheap and quick to make.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...03adjusted.JPG

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...07adjusted.JPG

I told you it was ugly. :rofl:


dr del