Homemade incubator questions

[Bebop]

Okay, I just can't afford the luxury of buying an incubator.. even a used one lol and this will give me something to do..

Still researching incubator plans but this is what I have so far as far as materials:

20g tall aquarium (one of the short side is shattered, so I might punch it out and replace it with something)
We might have an old laptop with a fan in it. If it's no good.. is this fan okay?
fan on eBay
I also have an 55gal screen lid that no one wants to buy off me, so I might take that apart
I have a thermostat that I traded for a couple years back.. somewhere...

I'm just hoping some of these things will be useful..
My husband is really good with electronics and we have a lot of electronics, so we're going to see if we can find a proper adapter. I'll post what we find and will likely ask what would be best.

 

[Bebop]

Okay all of them are 120V.. and will I need to rewire it to work with the fan?

 

[t0m]

Hi Jess, computer fans are typically 12V DC like the ones on eBay that you linked to. I guess you will either need a mains adapter or a 12V battery to run them. If you have an adapter that gives 9V or 15V you might still give it a try, the fan will probably still work but might burn out quicker. Hope this helps.

 

[keaton85]

I just did a little write up on fans, it should be on the next page here...

I personally like the 120MM fans due to noise, they move the same amount of air with less noise in my opinion. Also I have mine on a lizard light controller so I can turn it up or down haha! Just make sure not to have a lot of air flowing over the eggs or you will have excessive evaporation.

 

[MJCooper42]

Hi Bebop!

I just finished Making my 'bator from an old aquarium last night.. I had issues with a constant temp, so I ended up putting aluminium foil inside and out taped down, then on the out side i have some foam board taped down, seemed to do the trick I have 3 small fans in there all at different angles to move the air around...

I have a thermostat from a water heater in there to control the lights.. humidity seems to be the issue for me, surprisingly it is too low 30% ... I'm thinking of removing one of the fans to see if that'll help!

But anywho.. good luck!
alot of people say don't try to use an aquarium, I say work with what ya got!

cheers!
MjCooper

 

[Bebop]

Thanks guys! Okay, here's what I have now.. (not much has really changed...)

Got a free Styrofoam cooler from Wally World!
Found a 120v input 12v output Linksys transformer - this is the one i need right?
Found the thermostat
will be tearing apart the 55gal screen lid so i'll have a mesh screen
a piece of glass that needs to be cut

so i still need a fan, light kit, light bulb (what wattage?), a means for humidity (too easy), thermometer/hygrometer.. need to see what else i need though.
Okay, I know that some people get dimmers and things like that to control heat and humidity, will the thermostat do the same thing?