New Incubator

first ever DIY
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...oolerbator.jpg
Got this from a guy that said it worked but when he plugged it in it didn't lol I didn't let him know I could care less if it worked lol. He said "Well I thought it worked. Well you can have it for free if you get it out of my living room" lol.

http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...z/IMG_0228.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...z/IMG_0229.jpg
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/i...IMG_0230-1.jpg
Just a few photos of the heat tape and 4in Fan to move around air in it and it is positioned to blow across the heat tape.
I have to thank Raul of West Coast Jungle for the concept and well the man is a awesome. If there are any pointers anyone want to give I will gladly listen and possibly implement them.

Awesome stuff Tim!! Great Job!!

how tall is that? i had one that was 6' tall. you have to be careful about circulating heat in them or it can get hot real fast towards the top.

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Originally Posted by redpython

how tall is that? i had one that was 6' tall. you have to be careful about circulating heat in them or it can get hot real fast towards the top.

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Joe this one may come to my neck its about 5 foot 5

Dude very awesome!! I also just did a snapple incubator. Instead of flex tape I used 2 50-60 gal uths. I use a Helix and A small fan which I did not have installed at the time I took my pics. The set up works great, even now as my basement is 55 degrees, the incubator can hold 90 plus degrees no problem.
cost me $100.00 for the fridge, $60.00 for the 2 uths and $125.00 for the Helix. I don't mean to Hijack your thread, but here are some pics
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h.../ry3D400-2.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...ubators003.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...ubators002.jpg

Thanks your fridge is nice where are you getting your temps from and have you measured your temps with the bator full and all because I think you will find your going to get hot spots from having the uth on the bottom when the bator is full

Looking good Tim, Hope you have lots of success with that bad boy!:gj:

Thanks Raul I was just about to forward you these photos to make sure we had covered all bases.

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Originally Posted by Royal Morphz

Thanks your fridge is nice where are you getting your temps from and have you measured your temps with the bator full and all because I think you will find your going to get hot spots from having the uth on the bottom when the bator is full

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When I was recording temps I had a thermometer on each shelf and had EMPTY egg containers in all the shelves. I did have a small fan on the lower shelve running to circulate the air. I had the helix set for 79 degrees and ran it for a day. all thermometers had the same temp of 79 degrees on each shelve.
Perhaps with the egg containers full I will get a different result, but as long as none of the shelves reach above 85 degees things should be ok for the colubrids.
I have another smaller (and Proven) incubator i made for maintaining the 90 degree temps for my ball python eggs. Here is a pic of that one minus shelves to show the tape and fans...this incubator has been hatching Ball Python eggs for 5 years without a glitch! :)

http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...r/DSCN4609.jpg
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/h...r/DSCN4610.jpg

OK guys. I get the whole idea of using a frig for an incubator. How much flexwatt and what size is used? I have seen versions from folks that have more elctric running through them to choke a horse. I would like to build one with a dorm frig. But don't want to overdo the heat. Also, is it better with the flexwatt going from top to bottom in the back?

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Originally Posted by Starsnake

OK guys. I get the whole idea of using a frig for an incubator. How much flexwatt and what size is used? I have seen versions from folks that have more elctric running through them to choke a horse. I would like to build one with a dorm frig. But don't want to overdo the heat. Also, is it better with the flexwatt going from top to bottom in the back?

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I would use the flexwatt from top to bottom in the back. You may have to experiment with how much to use. If you are using a helix or other similar thermostat, that should keep your desired temp incase you did use more flexwatt than you needed to. this is only my opinion though.:)

I know helix is better but are the Ranco thermostats or Johnson thermostats usable?

I prefer proportional to the on/off type for a incubator.

Awsome nice bator.........i need one realllllllll soon to i only have 2 hova bators..

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Originally Posted by phunkyone808

Awsome nice bator.........i need one realllllllll soon to i only have 2 hova bators..

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hey Eric get yourself a stand up freezer and I'll gladly come over and help you convert it