best heat source for DIY bator?

This is what I used: 3015 Heating Element with wire Leads & 6 Insulators

Its the replacement GQF element $21.99

Added link: http://www.lakecumberlandgamebirds.com/contents/en-us/d238_02.html#p1092

 

100watt light bulb with a backup night light to keep the temps more consistent is my opinion.

 

I just put a hair dryer in mine.

 

I have flexwatt heat tape (for reptiles) and a halogen puck light for under cabinets (over kill didn't need that much extra warmth) it's on a dimmer so I can fiddle when needed.

Puck lights - especially the halogen 120v put out significant heat, can easily be rigged to dimmers, don't take up a lot of space and are easy to mount. I use velcro stickies until I get the position right.

Yours is bigger than mine, a puck or two would probably work well, and is easy to alter, swap and move those puck lights, you can also chain them or put one on the thermostat and rig one seperate for adjustments.

Xenon is not as hot, but is avail as a puck light and can be linked to one another. I don't know about a dimmer for those though.

Halogen pucks are about 9, xenon about 8, dimmers 8-9$


Porcelain lamp mounts are about 4, and a light bulb - not much,

and the lower water heater thermostat runs 8-10 depending where you find it.

Lots of options.

Part of it is about whether you want to go simple or fiddle with things.

 

i see one made with one of those small heaters from walmart. about 15 to 20 dallors. it hase a 6 inch fan and a heating coil built right in. he had it set on low heat. plugged in to a ext. cord that had been split and a themastat put in the middle of the hot wire.