Incubator Methods

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Originally Posted by SmoothScales

Where do you guys keep finding retail fridges for free?? You must share this information with me.


(Seriously, though, I have a soul I could trade for the info.)

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In my case it was a local guy that fixes appliances on the side and also remove appliances that no longer work for metal scrap. I called him up he had a fridge that he already stripped down and let me have for free since he knows my stepson.

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You can also just post an ISO on your local Craigslist and someone will usually give a broken one up for free and just be thankful to get it out of their garage.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Because of the size the fan wan unnecessary I had one setup run the incubator with it and without it without seeing any difference.

The heat tape is place on the sides.

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thanks Deborah!

that's like the second time in 2 days you have been very helpful!

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Cooler Incubator

120 Quart cooler (holds 8 clutches)

Heat Tape

RELIABLE thermostat (SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT piece of equipment)

Egg tubs

Light diffuser

Thermometer

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Incubator.jpg

Fridge Incubator

Fridge (holds 27/30 clutches)

Heat Tape

RELIABLE thermostat (SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT piece of equipment)

Computer fan

Egg tubs

Light diffuser

Thermometers

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a.../Incubator.png

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The fridge looks like a nice clean set up!

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Your local menards usually sells used ones for 10 to 50 that they took out of people's houses when they buy new ones

At the dump here we have what it called the swap and trade. Its kind of a horrible name for it since you don't actually swap or trade anything... just drop stuff off that you don't want that is in somewhat good condition and other people can grab it if they want. This is where I got my replacement front door which was in fantastic condition and FREE! Maybe your garbage dump will have something like this for you to get a fridge for free? Recycle, reuse.

I might get flamed for this but it worked for me. I used a cooler with water and a fish tank heater (thermostat built in) in the bottom. I used an elevated floor with holes in it and placed eggs in Tupper ware containers full of vermiculite. This gave me plenty of humidity, air flow was not an issue and although the fish tank heater was not accurate to the temp the eggs needed to be at, it was consistent. Once I figure out what setting to leave it at to give me the ambient air temperature I wanted, I just left it there. I successfully hatched multiple clutches of house snake eggs and a couple clutches of chondropython eggs with an 80-85% success rate if I recall. It was about 18 years ago.

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Originally Posted by enginee837

I might get flamed for this but it worked for me. I used a cooler with water and a fish tank heater (thermostat built in) in the bottom. I used an elevated floor with holes in it and placed eggs in Tupper ware containers full of vermiculite. This gave me plenty of humidity, air flow was not an issue and although the fish tank heater was not accurate to the temp the eggs needed to be at, it was consistent. Once I figure out what setting to leave it at to give me the ambient air temperature I wanted, I just left it there. I successfully hatched multiple clutches of house snake eggs and a couple clutches of chondropython eggs with an 80-85% success rate if I recall. It was about 18 years ago.

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Some people still do it, there are many ways to incubate, the only issue with that method is the limit in amount of clutches you can hold at once ;)....otherwise it's perfectly fine.

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Originally Posted by enginee837

I might get flamed for this but it worked for me. I used a cooler with water and a fish tank heater (thermostat built in) in the bottom. I used an elevated floor with holes in it and placed eggs in Tupper ware containers full of vermiculite. This gave me plenty of humidity, air flow was not an issue and although the fish tank heater was not accurate to the temp the eggs needed to be at, it was consistent. Once I figure out what setting to leave it at to give me the ambient air temperature I wanted, I just left it there. I successfully hatched multiple clutches of house snake eggs and a couple clutches of chondropython eggs with an 80-85% success rate if I recall. It was about 18 years ago.

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This was my first incubator at I think the age of 12. Hatched several leopard gecko eggs with it. Unfortunately, I forgot to turn it off when I finished and the heater burned out a hole in the bottom of the Styrofoam cooler when enough water evaporated to uncover it.

Now I use a converted fridge for dragon eggs and a cabinet hatchery model for bps.

Ebay has some interesting incubators coming out from sellers in China. They cost $100 and are in between the quality of a hovabator and nice professional cabinet model. All digital. I haven't used my poultry one yet (has egg turners) but they have gotten consistently good reviews. I haven't looked but I'm sure there's a good model for reptiles that could replace the $200 garbage we see in pet stores.

I made this one a while back. Holds 12 clutches and perfect temps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNZAa_bYOiY