It has begun!!! 1st Time

[RoosterML]

I just don't think heat is needed at all, what would be the advantage?
Room temperature is fine.

I can only speak from experience drilling different plastics for horizontal nipples. I tried drilling with a regular drill bit into a hard plastic peanut container. It did not go very well. It did the usual grab and crack dealio. So next I filled the container with hot tap water and drilled again. This time it cracked---------------------- less.
I only have one lid to give it a go before ordering a replacement. So I figured anything that may help wouldn't hurt and if it's likely to increase my success why not give it a go.

 

[aart]

So I figured anything that may help wouldn't hurt and if it's likely to increase my success why not give it a go.

Go with the spade bit, carefully applied, at room temp.

Plastic jars are usually made from PETE...fairly brittle and the thinness doesn't help, tho I've never cracked one with a twist bit. Not sure what kind of plastic that lid is made of, would love to know.

Some experience with acrylic(Plexiglass) vs polycarbonate(Lexan).
Acrylic is shinier and polycarb is stronger. Acrylic is less expensive but easier to crack. Polycarb is more impact resisant but easier to scratch.

 

[RoosterML]

Lockdown started. I moved the rack over to the left and added a sponge cut in half in case I needed to increase humidity more but with the 2 larger channels with water that puts me right at 72% with the center ring still empty so looks like I should be good to go.
Don't worry about temp guage in picture it's off by 1° a reading of 100.5 = 99.5 actual. Off to the races we go!!! I would offer you all a beer for the help and info along the way but a good old cyber will have to do. Special thanks to @aart, @WVduckchick, @Texas Kiki

 

[Kiki]

I can't wait!
Come on little biddys.

 

[RoosterML]

Has anyone ever add food coloring to the water so it would be easier to see down in the channels?

 

[WVduckchick]

Has anyone ever add food coloring to the water so it would be easier to see down in the channels?

Yes, I have. Works great.

 

[aart]

Has anyone ever add food coloring to the water so it would be easier to see down in the channels?

Yes, it helped, some.

 

[msiler]

So excited to see the little guys!!

 

[aart]

Has anyone ever add food coloring to the water so it would be easier to see down in the channels?

Yes, it helped, some.

I traced lines around outside of reservoirs with sharpie.
I suppose the combo of very dark food colored water in conjunction with those lines would show water level.

 

[Speedychicken27]

I would turn about 3 times