Building a incubator, looking for recommendations for a few parts

[nuthatched]

Hi there,
I trying to gather part to build a cooler incubator, I'm about 80% to having everything I need.
considering I'm building a incubator from a cooler, you can guess my budget for this project.
Can I use a supersonic atomizer for incubator humidity? I could use sponges, but I wanted to be able to control it a little more without opening the incubator. I'll be using something like an IV to refill this.
Also, what's the best type of heating for a 40ish gallon cooler? (approx 20''x 18" x 40") Tape? lightbulbs at each end? I will have fans but I want the heat to be even as possible.

Thank you!

 

[Rose Quartz]

for humidifier I've used this before: https://www.amazon.ca/Doughnut-Humi...words=donut+humidifier&qid=1575179608&sr=8-55

You can find them on amazon for super cheap I think I bought mine for about $1 at the time. They don't last though, so you'd want to have a couple of back ups.

The incu I built was made of wood not a cooler so the heating I used would probably be over kill for you. I did have a box of similar dimensions.

I had 2 of these, https://www.wish.com/product/58c8ec...0u61nT4q5l26pBJODUPrQJscUc3QmgBgaAkEREALw_wcB which didn't come with the adapter. I ended up scrounging around to find some that were compatible. hooked up to car headlight sockets. (I think I got those for about $5 each and the lights were under $5) these lights were centered over the eggs. And I had 2 40 watt incandescent bulbs at the back with fans and dishes to hold the water for the humidifier.


What I mean by I think it would be too much heat for you is, I had to quickly come up with a portable incu, and put 1 of the car headlights with the thermostat into a lunch box cooler with the lid partially opened it was more than enough heat.

I do HIGHLY recommend some kind of thermostat. It is possible to do it with a light on a dimmer switch that you adjust yourself. But you won't be sleeping much.

Before you finish your build make sure you can keep temp with the humidity up like it would be for hatching. There may be some significant changes you need to make just to account for that.

 

[nuthatched]

for humidifier I've used this before: https://www.amazon.ca/Doughnut-Humi...words=donut+humidifier&qid=1575179608&sr=8-55

You can find them on amazon for super cheap I think I bought mine for about $1 at the time. They don't last though, so you'd want to have a couple of back ups.

The incu I built was made of wood not a cooler so the heating I used would probably be over kill for you. I did have a box of similar dimensions.

I had 2 of these, https://www.wish.com/product/58c8ec89415c9d6de5da81d9?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=CA&_force_currency_code=CAD&pid=googleadwords_int&c={campaignId}&ad_cid=58c8ec89415c9d6de5da81d9&ad_cc=CA&ad_curr=CAD&ad_price=7.00&campaign_id=6493229759&gclid=Cj0KCQiAw4jvBRCJARIsAHYewPMUwBDKbys0zSlFU2QCvLq0u61nT4q5l26pBJODUPrQJscUc3QmgBgaAkEREALw_wcB which didn't come with the adapter. I ended up scrounging around to find some that were compatible. hooked up to car headlight sockets. (I think I got those for about $5 each and the lights were under $5) these lights were centered over the eggs. And I had 2 40 watt incandescent bulbs at the back with fans and dishes to hold the water for the humidifier.


What I mean by I think it would be too much heat for you is, I had to quickly come up with a portable incu, and put 1 of the car headlights with the thermostat into a lunch box cooler with the lid partially opened it was more than enough heat.

I do HIGHLY recommend some kind of thermostat. It is possible to do it with a light on a dimmer switch that you adjust yourself. But you won't be sleeping much.

Before you finish your build make sure you can keep temp with the humidity up like it would be for hatching. There may be some significant changes you need to make just to account for that.

Thank you very much for your advice! I've already picked out some thermostats, but the one's you linked to a considerably cheaper.... I've never considered shopping on wish.
I found these for temperature and humidity, https://incubatorwarehouse.com/incubator-remote-thermometer-hygrometer.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Inkbird-Di.../incubator-remote-thermometer-hygrometer.html


I think I'll get some low watt bulbs or root around habit for humanity for some inspiration on heating, I'm leery on trying to wire things unless I have to. Would you recommend using a couple humidifiers for the humidity boost during lockdown or just seal up a few holes?

 

[Rose Quartz]

Thank you very much for your advice! I've already picked out some thermostats, but the one's you linked to a considerably cheaper.... I've never considered shopping on wish.
I found these for temperature and humidity, https://incubatorwarehouse.com/incubator-remote-thermometer-hygrometer.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Inkbird-Di.../incubator-remote-thermometer-hygrometer.html


I think I'll get some low watt bulbs or root around habit for humanity for some inspiration on heating, I'm leery on trying to wire things unless I have to. Would you recommend using a couple humidifiers for the humidity boost during lockdown or just seal up a few holes?

Don't close your holes. I had way better hatches with lower humidity, and more ventilation. Honestly, you can get away with lower humidity for hatching than you expect based on what all the reading tells you. In my home made anything over 50% for hatching was spectacular. I found it really hard to keep it that high with the wood absorbing it all.


I have the inkbird Thermostat, but I only used it once, before buying a hovabator. Because I wanted an auto turner. It is really sensitive to temperature change. I didn't find a use for the fan outlet though since I wanted the fan running the whole time.

 

[nuthatched]

thread bump.
still looking for advice, I already have chicks coming BUT I want to hatch some wee peeps