Incubator not reaching right temp

[bee_wrangler]

I made an incubator out of plastic storage bin but it is not getting past 85F. I have a dimmer switch and had started off with a 40watt bulb, then a 90watt, now I have two 75watt black light bulbs and two hours later on full blast its only hit 85F. Anyone ever use one of the storage bins before for a incubator? It should be heating up more than that.

How long should it take to heat up a large bator to 95F?

 

[bigdawg]

try a regular white 100 watt bulb. or a 150 heat lamp bulb.

 

[Wynette]

Is it insulated? If not, that could be the problem. Just a thought.

 

[dovecanyon]

Do you have more than one thermometer? Could it be a faulty thermometer? I had one that wouldn't go up past 90' once, and when I tried another one it was actually 105'.

 

[bee_wrangler]

I have two thermometer's in there and they both read the same, so I know its not that. It is not insulated, is that a problem? I didn't think it would be that much different than a styrofoam bin

 

[bigdawg]

i use a big plastic water tub for a brooder, no lid, 150 watt heat lamp and have to raise it after a day or two. gets to hot.

 

[bee_wrangler]

Turns out Wynette is right, it does need to be insulated lol. I put pink insulation around it and wrapped it up with tape, then the temp shot up like a rocket. I had to remove one of the black lights and have the one set about half way with the dimmer switch. I will have to keep a good eye on it to find the happy medium. Thanks for the replies!