Incubator cooler style...

[VogueStar]

Im sure some of you have but has any1 made their own incubator? Could you give me a link or instructions with spec.s> Ive researched a lot and I would like to make my own I really just need some spec.s on what works best. Iam looking to make an ice chest cooler style with the under water tank heater. I just order a tank heater but I didnt think before I bought it.. I bought a 200 watt is this too much!!!??!! :?: :shock:

 

[ROMMELLAG]

My first incubator was a cooler. Dont have any pictures as this was before I knew about this site and the internet. If you decide to build your own I would suggest using a fully submersible heater like the one in the link I am posting for you. Reason being is that it has adjustable degree increments. I had to switch to one of these because I could not properly get the temp stable. I found myself fiddling with the damn switch more than I had to. Usea digital thermometer with a probe, as I dont feel like the stick on ones like I used were as accurate. With a probe you can make a small hole in the tupperware dish or what ever you may use and get it in there with the eggs. I drilled 4 holes in the sides of the cooler with a 1/2 inch paddle bit and and took a peice of sand paper and sanded around the hole tole scuuf the suface up to give the hot silicone a good surface to stick to and screen was placed over it. If you put too many holes in it you will find yourself filling the water level up every couple of days. I layed brick 2 brick long ways with the cooler and set another 2 next to them, and repeated. So a total of 8 brick. A hole was drilled in one side just higher than the brick. Not sure of the size but the heater was pushed through all the way to the bottom and the hole was siliconed. That was it. Mine also had a window cut in the top but it had too much condesation on it to see in . Good luck with your project!!!!
http://www.aquariumguys.com/ebojager3.html

 

[VogueStar]

Well I went out and bought a 50watt Top Fin Heater... its not working...Ive tried many different ways of using it. It will turn on and then it turns off like its reached temp. but the water is cold! and not up to temp... and inside the cooler it isnt getting the right temp. er not enough for eggs to be introduced into it. Is this water heater malfunctioning? Or is it not enough wattage. I have a a 42 quart cooler ( I think this is the size) with about 10 inches of water in it two bricks and the 50 watt heater... it will stay on for maybe 2-5 minutes and then turns off and doesnt turn back on!! GRR is it broke or amI doing something wrong...
Iam thinking that maybe 200 watt would be okay.. I canceled the order for it though :evil: kuz my bf thought it would melt the cooler...!

:?: Does anyone kno if a Submersible Aquarium Heater will melt plastic or my ice chest cooler... :?:

Luckily this is Orchids first clutch , all the eggs look like theyre prolly infertile anyway
About 9 eggs are real small and squished ...duds I think
The rest are okay looking nice white ovalish but I candled them and only a few show slight signs of life...
I would really like to be ready for her second clutch but this whole tank heater is throwing me threw a loop...
Iam thinking I should just by the hovabator... but Id really love to have a custom one.. and Ive heard that even the hovabator isnt that consistent with heating
OY VAY! :roll:

 

[ROMMELLAG]

If you can afford the hova Bator by all means do so. It is better to be prepared than not. I am a pretty good at doing these type of things so it was no problem for me. I can actually rigg it up and have it handy in a matter of minutes. You will almost spend the same amount of money doing so. There is no substitute for the real thing, unless you have really done your home work and know what you are doing. In that type of situation I would think it would be best to have these things ready before the actual mating just to be prepared. If you still have problems with the diy incubator you can p m me a # to contact you or vice versa, as it is easier to talk through these things rather than type them out. I may be a Newbie to breeding, but I can damn sure di myself!!!! Could you specify which heater you are using? Is it adjustable by degree??If you can find it online or a picture of it, it would help.
Ro

 

[VogueStar]

http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3762449t400.jpg

sorry this is the only way I knew how to get a pic. of it. This is the heater I had.. I returned it to the store.
I didn't want to go with hovabator like I said kuz it seems so finicky but Ive decided & I ordered my hovabator tonite.
I know I should have been more prepared for the new editions... but I also wasn't expecting to see them for another week or so... :arrow: live and learn ..
Thx for you help

FYI
Ive managed to make a..make shift incubator
I have a cooler... with a cookie dry rack thingy in the bottom and then a zoo med 16 watt heat pad
and another cookie rack thingy..then a slab of marble ... weird I kno...
Then I have a restaurant baking pan [ its keep a constant temp. ]
I have approx 2 inches of water in this baking pan
And lastly my deli-cups with moist (sterile) soil/moss and eggs...
It seems to actually be working okay
My temp. is from 84-86 humidity around 70-80
:|

They eggs don't look great. However! This is her first clutch and they did not look great from the moment I uncovered them. 8 of the eggs were small and squishy duds I believe. The rest were okay round ovalish white yet they were dented a lil . Only 3-4 looked like they would make it good over all shape and color. Ive candled a few and they look like they are full of liquid and I only see a vein in two of them I was not expecting this to be a fertile clutch as it is her first however I will try and see what becomes of them... Ill get pics up 2morrow hopefully.Thanx again !! Iam a newbie with a huge heart & I will always do everything I can for my *children*= animals. :mrgreen:

 

[ROMMELLAG]

No problem!! Sounds good!! I'm not giving you a hard time or anything, I just want "us" newbies to be prepared as best as we can for our obstacles ahead of us. I hope you have some luck on your remaining eggs. I just wanted totake the time to answer your thread, as I know what it is like to make post and no one answer them. I have had luck in the past with 10 gallon aqauriums and heaters in the past. I am working on a diy incubator myself, one that is going to fit in my wall unit containing some of my adults, my baby bins and hold backs. When I finish everything I will post pictures and detailed plans on how everything works.Once again I wish you the best of luck!!!
Ro