Home Made Incubator, Questions about Silicone vapors and condensation?

[NNJExotics]

Hey everyone!
Thanks for answering my questions in my previous post on fans to put in a redbull fridge that i wanted to make into an incubator. I decided to go a different route and make a 40qt cooler into an incubator. I got everything great, temps are right. Ambient temp is 89F-90F, inside tub temp is 89F-90F. I have a tub in there already set up. Vermiculite/crate and a press & seal cover then the lid on the tub. Because the temps are fine all around, i didn't see the need to add a fan.

I have 2 questions:
1. I made a hole on the cooler to pass the flexwatt plug, thermostat and thermometer probes. I used a silicone aquarium sealant and it did the job, but the silicone vapors are strong and i feel it may be increasing with the heat. Should i be concerned about these vapors and the eggs(of course when the time comes for them)? If the silicone is a problem, i can certainly remove it and use another sealant, but what do you recommend?

2.From what many of you use & recommend, I used the press & seal to cover the tub then placed the lid on top. It's day 3 of setting up this incubator and I'm already seeing condensation on the sides and on the press & seal cover. Is this because there are no eggs? or should i eliminate the press & seal cover altogether to let the tub breathe a little?

Thanks in advance!
Javier

[Adam Chandler]

Hey everyone!
1. I made a hole on the cooler to pass the flexwatt plug, thermostat and thermometer probes. I used a silicone aquarium sealant and it did the job, but the silicone vapors are strong and i feel it may be increasing with the heat. Should i be concerned about these vapors and the eggs(of course when the time comes for them)? If the silicone is a problem, i can certainly remove it and use another sealant, but what do you recommend?

I used silicone caulk to seal my Red Bull incubator and had no problems. After about a day of leaving it opened up I couldn't smell the caulk.

2.From what many of you use & recommend, I used the press & seal to cover the tub then placed the lid on top. It's day 3 of setting up this incubator and I'm already seeing condensation on the sides and on the press & seal cover. Is this because there are no eggs? or should i eliminate the press & seal cover altogether to let the tub breathe a little?

Condensation on the sides and under the press n' seal is normal. As long as the eggs are not touching the sides or getting dripped on from the top they will be fine.

[chapskis1]

That is a huge hole you had to seal!! I drilled a hole in my cooler, and used sealant as well, but I just cut the end off of the flexwatt cord. I picked up a new plug at the hardware store for $1.49 and therefore didn't have to drill a ginormous hole.

I'm not saying your way is wrong, but if you ever make another incubator it might be something to consider.

Good luck on your clutch!