Some photos of my closet incubator set-up

[karbogast]

I have seen a few questions asked about closet incubators and I thought I would take the time to post some photos of my set up. I know for many this might be basic stuff, but I hope that some will find it helpfull to have a visual reference when planning how to set up their incubator.

The most important thing is a good thermostat with a back-up.


For a heat source I use a sealed oil filled radiant heater. These are really stable and they do not need to get very hot to heat a closet or small room. I use a fan behind the heater to circulate the air and another one at the opposite end of the incubator to keep temps even through out.


The probes from the thermostat and a thermometer probe are placed in the middle of where I plan on placing the egg boxes.


Mmmmm...eggs!


I use strait vermiculite for my ball pythons and I have a no-substrate for a GTP clutch that I am expecting shortly.


One last tip is to use foam weather stripping to seal the closet door. I also use a piece of 1x2 across the bottom and add a strip of the weather stripping to that as well. I do this to keep the incubator temps more stable.


I hope this is helpful and good luck eveyone.

[Patrick Long]

not bad, not bad at all!

Maybe some shelves?

[ShawnT]

Very Nice...Do you plan on adding any shelving?

[karbogast]

not bad, not bad at all!

Maybe some shelves?

Very Nice...Do you plan on adding any shelving?

I am only expecting 10 clutches at most so for me it is easier not to mess with shelves. Next year I will definately be adding shelves as I have several holdbacks that will be upto size.

[Drew87]

Great work thankx for the pics helps us appartment people out haha

[karbogast]

Great work thankx for the pics helps us appartment people out haha

I live in an apartment also and this set-up works great. Shelves would be the other thing I would add but that can wait till next year. My wife and I plan on buying a house this year so that should make keeping herps a lot more simple for us. Keeping reptiles in an appartment is complicated to say the least.

[BMorrison]

I second that!

[Argentra]

Hmm, I would think it would save energy, as well as bending, if you had a table or shelves around center height since heat rises. The floor, even carpeted with the board at the door, is much cooler and would need more heat energy to keep temps stable there.

Just my two cents, tho. Looks great! I would do that...if I had the closet space to spare.

[dempserg]

That setup looks great. That is similar to what I will strive for with the one I am building now. I already have one helix, just need a backup. I also have wire shelves and the oil filled heater. I just need to put it together. Thanks for the pics and info.

Rob Dempsey

[karbogast]

Hmm, I would think it would save energy, as well as bending, if you had a table or shelves around center height since heat rises. The floor, even carpeted with the board at the door, is much cooler and would need more heat energy to keep temps stable there.

Just my two cents, tho. Looks great! I would do that...if I had the closet space to spare.

Yeah that would be more efficient, but then I wouldn't be able to open my dresser drawer.......LOL! With limited space I am just happy to have room for an incubator set up period. Despite some of the draw backs that I have been forced into because of space issues, the temps are very stable.

It is good advise though and something that people setting up their incubators may want to consider.