incubator pic for Lilly, anyone else.. :)

[Ginevive]

Here goes. I had a few requests to post a pic of it, so I figured I would just open it up to all and post here.
It is a styro cooler that I got for free from a local fish store. I used an idea given by LordJackel and put in pop bottles with water to hold the temperature when the lid is open. Of course I let them heat up before putting the eggs in. It does have a styro lid that is not shown. Next year I plan on putting in a glass window so I can peek more discreetly
I incubated at 88-89 degrees. I put the t-stat probe in the space between the tubs near their lid level.
I put FWatt along the bottom and then put the bottles atop it and some flourescent-light grid over it for a platform for the egg boxes, which were airtight. To prevent condensation I melted several holes into them with a soldering iron; this worked fine but I did wipe the inner lids of the boxes every week or so to prevent water from dripping excessively. I used perlite/vermiculite mix; I like the coarser vermiculite b/c it is not as dusty as the fine, and seems to have more surface area for moisture.
Helix t-stat is a must in my book. I love it.
Any questions please ask. I am either going to have to get a bigger cooler or use smaller-fooprint egg boxes next year as I will have 3 clutches (hopefully!) not just 2 this year.

[lillyorchid]

Thank you very very VERY much for posting this Jen. I appreciate it a lot. I have a large local fish store and a smaller local fish store then a ma and pa owned fish/reptile store by me. One of those three places has to have those kind of coolers. I have a Helix and plenty of extra flexwatt. I'll have to run to Target or Wal-Mart and scope out containers that will fit in there. I'm pretty sure HD or Lowes has those light grids and of course I have tons of water bottles. Seems pretty simple to make and that this kind of incubator works well for this sort of thing.

One question though (at the moment) did you use anything to measure your temps/humidity?

[Ginevive]

Awesome! Fire away if you have any questions along the line.
Oh I used two AccuRite thermometers. Humidity I used another hygrometer; forgot the brand name.

[recycling goddess]

wow... great idea!!! thanks to you and lord jackel! i think this should be stickied.