Probe placement for incubation?

[rlditmars]

Well, the prelay shed happened yesterday so it's just a matter of time. This is our first time breeding. We have built an incubator out of a wine cooler bought off CL. I just need to test it and had a few questions.

1. I am still on the fence about substrateless. I know there are lots of opinions on the subject. For those who have switched or switched back. Is substrateless more prone to dryness or early dimpling? Does having them right in the substrate make them more prone to mold?

2. I plan to use press & seal and a lid. Does there need to be any holes in the box for air transfer or should I just burp it once a week?

3. Do both the thermostat and thermometer probes go right in the egg box? If the answer to number 2 is no holes, and I drill a hole in the side for the probes, do I need to seal it back up air tight?

4. Since the incubator could probably accomodate six boxes and I will only have one, would there be any benefit to adding more water bottles to take up alot of the unused space? Would there be any possible downside?

5. Is there anything else I am forgetting?

Thank you

[Stewart_Reptiles]

1. I am still on the fence about substrateless. I know there are lots of opinions on the subject. For those who have switched or switched back. Is substrateless more prone to dryness or early dimpling? Does having them right in the substrate make them more prone to mold?

I have used substrateless for years and would NEVER use anything else, perfect humidity, no need for mixing or add water later on, I just put my eggs in and wait until they hatched.

Dimpling generally start about a week before hatching. I do not open the tubs until one week before hatching and do so every 2 to 3 days to allow air to circulate and wipe off condensation as it becomes a little heavier.

2. I plan to use press & seal and a lid. Does there need to be any holes in the box for air transfer or should I just burp it once a week?

Using holes would defeat the purpose of using press and seal, people use press and seal to make the egg box air tight. I never have used press and seal or holes in my egg tubs.

3. Do both the thermostat and thermometer probes go right in the egg box? If the answer to number 2 is no holes, and I drill a hole in the side for the probes, do I need to seal it back up air tight?

That's how I have mine setup

4. Since the incubator could probably accomodate six boxes and I will only have one, would there be any benefit to adding more water bottles to take up alot of the unused space? Would there be any possible downside?

Even if I have a few clutches I fill up the incubator to capacity (all my egg boxes are in the incubator whether I use them all or not) -

[Don]

1. I have not seen any early dimpling in substrateless method. Mold can be a problem either way because you are in a warm moist environment.

2. Burp it once a week is fine. You can put a couple of small holes as well. Either way works.

3. I put my probe right in the middle of the incubator and a thermometer right next to an egg box on each shelf.

4. No downside to extra water bottles.

5. Set it up at least a week early and even put an egg box or two set up into it. That will let you fiddle with it until it gets to the perfect temperature.

6. Good luck!

Edit: since we're showing pics. You can see a couple of thermometers on the shelf. The probe is in the center behind the thermometers.

[rlditmars]

Thanks. This is all very helpful.

I wasn't sure if the boxes should be airtight and if so, would the lid alone seal enough without the press and seal.

Don, I see you do burp yours.

Deborah, I wasn't sure by your answer, but do you ever open the boxes for air exchange or do you just let them be unless you see a reason to go in.

The wine cooler has a glass front and a light which I can turn on without opening the door. So I should be able to see everything going on just fine.

I will post pictures once I get it all set up.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Deborah, I wasn't sure by your answer, but do you ever open the boxes for air exchange or do you just let them be unless you see a reason to go in.

I only open my boxes during the last week, of course if I see something that need my attention (mold, etc) I would open the box and address the issue but other than that I generally do nothing during incubation until the very last week.