Incubator Temperature Problems ! ! (Reptipro)

[RedneckG1rl]

I have a Reptipro5000 and am having some issues with the temperature ! For one the temperature thing doesn't even work ! It says at like 106 degrees and my thermometers say that it is 100 in there , but my main issue is that the temperature varies from the toppish middle to the bottom. I only have one shelf but I have two different batches of eggs in there. I got to get the ones that are going to be getting ready to hatch soon on the bottom but I can't because the temperature isn't hot enough down there and I don't understand why ?! The temperature from top to bottom differs anywhere from 6-8 degree's . I did have the water on the bottom and right now I have taken that out and place a piece of cardboard up towards the top of the incubator and have it angled so that it pushes the hot air down. Is there anything else I can do or has anyone else had this same issue?

 

[loveourbirds]

im not familiar with your incubator unfortunately, but in larger cabinet models the water tray is at the top, beside the heating element. there will typically be a degree or so of variance in a large incubator. also if you open the door on most incubators it will affect the temperatures for several minutes sometimes hours.

if it doesn't work, don't give up. if I cant help you someone on here surely can.

 

[RedneckG1rl]

The water tray is actually on the bottom but as of right now the bottom is 95 degrees and the top is 102 degrees. The ones that are on top are the eggs I put in yesterday and the ones on the bottom are on lockdown right now and are due to hatch Tuesday ...I hope . I was putting the eggs on the top shelf yesterday and accidently dropped and cracked one of the eggs that was to hatch soon and sadly the chick didn't make it . I felt horrible . This is my first batch of eggs and I am worried that with the temperature differences it's going to kill them. I think the top is to hot and the bottom is to cold for them to hatch. Oh and right now the humidity level is about 69%. I just hope this works out ...If I turn the temperature up any more for the bottom to get warmer I know for sure I will end up frying the new batch on top . I was actually thinking about attaching a fan on top of the incubator inside or it to try and get the air circulating. I am so worried and nervous right now though .

 

[loveourbirds]

a computer fan would probably help you out a lot. does your incubator have vent holes? you might be able to close one or 2 of them and fix your problem.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

If you can figure out how to get a fan in there to circulate the air it would solve your problem. Or figure out a way to add a shelf so your eggs are not on the very bottom and up in toasty 99F air temp. If you do install a fan it is directed away from the eggs, the intent is to circulate the air without direct blowing on eggs.

 

[RedneckG1rl]

I don't haven any way to close up the vent thing. My incubator looks like a mini fridge . This is my first time ever hatching and today is day 18 for the ones on the bottom . I am worried that the low temperature is going to kill them. I tried to candle them but they are a brown egg and I had a hard time with it , I didn't really know what I was looking for. I have been reading about the eggs rocking and shaking when it's about time to hatch and mine aren't moving or making a sound...I am scared I killed em !

 

[loveourbirds]

they don't always shake. but just so you know most people aren't successful on their first hatch. ill do some research on your incubator a little later tonight and see if I can some up with something to help you.

 

[RedneckG1rl]

The research I have come up with it is that it have a report of having a 2-3 degree difference . But mine is more like 7! This is just craziness ! May have to invest in a different incubator if I can't get this one regulated . Thanks for all the help though ! I feel totally lost and don't really know what I am doing haha

 

[loveourbirds]

I couldn't find much more on your incubator. but I do have a couple ideas. first off is your door sealing properly? that unit is fairly well insulated it should be temperature stable.

looking at the pictures, it appears to heat from the bottom, so your water should be on the bottom. I couldn't find any measurements for your incubator but I think this fan will work:
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?item=16-1443&catname=electric

when you install this fan. put it about an inch from the top blowing air up, it should easily even the temperature out for you.

 

[RedneckG1rl]

Ok thanks ! I have a cup of water on the bottom as well as with the soon to be hatching eggs . I just seen one of the eggs moving around so I can only hope that is a good sign , but I would have liked to see more then one moving in there ! Yea , I am definitely going to have to do something about the temperature malfunction though . The door is sealed shut though . The temperature basically stays the same throughout , it just has a difference between the top and bottom .