We priced many ready to go incubators that would hold 40+ clutches and we got sticker shock.... upwards of $1500
As many have seen, we have been building our own racks now for ourselves. We are fortunate enough to have one of the country's largest suppliers of plastic sheeting in our back yard... Piedmont Plastics. Buying enough sheets so far for our racks has got us corporate pricing now at $97.60 per 1/2" x 4ft x 8ft sheet of Cell-Tek black XPVC (with free cuts)
The incubator build was a tough choice, but we put out a blueprint of our design and sent it to Piedmont. Our build is 72" x 36" x 20". Calculated out with 6qt Sterilite tubs, it should hold 48 tubs. We are doing six shelves that we will double stack tubs on. 4 tubs across and 2 tubs high on each shelf= 48 tubs. This size also leaves us the option to place (3) 12qt tubs on each shelf for some of those 10- 12 egg clutches we may see. There is enough "drop" material (leftover) to make a nice V18 hatchling rack, so that is a bouns!!
Our fridge style incubator held up very well all season, but in the same space we can more than double our capacity with this new build. Cut sizes were finalized last week and the raw material was picked up. Bronchitis has all but halted progress so far
We have calculated the final cost to be around ~$800. Some material we already have on hand. We already have a spare HerpStat 1, so add in $125 if you need a T-Stat.
(4) sheets XPVC= $390.40
Acrylic for window on door= $117 (need a full sheet- no scrap available)
Custom CNC work for recessing acrylic in door and CNC cutting 120mm fan holes= $125
(2)- 120mm fans= $36
(10ft) 12" THG heat tape= $30
(1) Power cord for THG= $4
Aluminum tape= $7 at Lowes (don't pay $12 for a roll half this size)
2# 6 x 1 5/8 plated screws= $12
(4) 2" caster wheels= $16
(2) 2" x 4" x 8' studs for frame on bottom= $6
(3) Stainless door hinges= $20
(1) Door handle= $4
(1) HerpStat 1= $125 (they are on sale right now
(20ft) door sealant= $50
All we are waiting on is to decide what thickness acrylic we want (3/16" or 1/4") and the CNC work be done on the door before we can finish assembly!!
The HARDEST part is done!!
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