Just set up my home done fishtank incubator. Suggestions?

[Barbedwirecat]

I think what I'm going to do is try and checking a CO-OP and seeing if they might have a Hovabator or SOMETHING just in case I don't get this right by the time the eggs get here. I should have planned ahead and not ordered until I had something set up. Hindsight is 20/20 of course. I was excited. Still am. I was considering hatching 1/2 in one and 1/2 in the other to see how it turned out, I don't know.

I'll subscribe to those YouTubes definitely.

I think I could find a shipping box like you said. Someone around here is bound to have one, Just trying to work with what I had on hand. Have your hatch rates been really good in that one? I also have a meat market close by I can check and see with them.

My 29 gallon dimensions are 30 1/4L x 12 1/2W x 18 3/4T. I know I'll need another light in there. I'll look into the splitter as well like you are running. Ventilation can be adjusted on the aquarium lid by removing a backer piece (where the filter would sit) of taping it up 1/2 way etc. It definitely has room for air to get in. I'll get some rocks for heatsinks, we have plenty of bottle lying around for that (I like to recycle).

I have some fine mesh I can use between the light bulb and fan so no one get's hurt

 

[Arielle]

You are almost completely done with this construction.

Have enough thermometers to check all areas; laid on it's side you get better ventilation with air able to get into the lower areas though the fan you have is like mine and good and strong air flow--I did drill holes in the bottom of my plastic cooler though --ventilation is IMPORTANT . Perhaps to have a small PC fan blow fresh air down. Laying everything on it's side is a better ventilation option.

I am a girl and I wired my light bulb and WHT myself by following Miss PRissy's instructions. MY First wiring ever!

I'm routing for you! THe eggs can sit for many hours even a whole day.on a counter waiting for the finishing touches.

 

[Barbedwirecat]

I found a CO-OP with a hovabator 1602N and egg turner just in case. I know it's not the best, but it's all that was available locally. I think I will be ordering a REPTIPRO within the next few weeks.

I am going to go ahead with the fish tank as well and see what happens. I'll pick up the WHT (2 just in case) later today---any other suggestions of things I need to pick up? Should I do the ceramic base light like I see a lot of people do...or should I stick with the plastic work lamp fixtures? I'll grab another fan too.

Thanks so much guys for your help!!!

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

Hi Lauren! Just got back from the PO. This is headed your way:

Good luck with your incubator building!

Lisa

 

[Barbedwirecat]

Thanks DDD!!!

WOOHOOO!!! I'm so excited I'm gonna have some egg babies!! Eggcited I guess

I'm all about some backup plans here. If the fish tank fails at least I'll have a great brooder out of it for a few days.


You know, I really wonder if you could just set up a whole room to be a giant incubator. I have a lot of reptile friends who set up reptiles rooms this way (I even have one, but the heat is hot and the humidity low because I do desert species). But a whole small room or closet....hmmmm IDEAS.

 

[Edwards' East of Eden]

I'm so eggcited for you!

You don't need two WHT, babe. One is plenty.

A hovabator and turner would be great, but you can really do this just like you're going. Just don't forget your heat sinks and your ventilation. Did you see, somewhere, the instructions for a DIY water wiggler? Put about a cup of water in a quart zippy bag, seal it up with as little air as possible, double bag it. Roll the bag into a tube and tape it to hold the form. Slip your thermometer probe into the center of the tube - water wiggler, set up to give you a pretty accurate idea of what your internal egg temperatures are.

Don't forget to calibrate your thermometers and your hygrometer.

Erm ... Oh. Turning. I will share my way:



That's, obviously, a styrofoam egg carton, with the lid cut off and holes cut in the bottoms of the egg cups. I hotglued it to an 11" piece of 3/4" PVC. Put the eggs in, big end up, and to turn them I just lean the dozen at a time to the other direction. Quickly turns them all. I also, as you see, tied my water wiggler into one of the cartons, so that it's on the same level as the eggs so that I'm getting a good representation of egg temperature.

The picture was taken when I was using the LG. I hate that thing. I had built a hatcher - and I now use it to incubate. Much better, much more room to do things in there.

 

[Barbedwirecat]

Yes I had heard about the water wiggler! I have one ready to put in there as soon as I find/buy my probe thermometer.

I was going to buy 2 just in case I messed up the first one.

I really really like that egg turner you have (I actually saw something similar in a fish tank incubator build on here), but I'm scared that while I'm away at work for 9 hours (sometimes more) they won't get turned enough--so I went ahead and took the guesswork out of it. I'll try to snag a PC fan too so I can have the air circulation in the hovabator if I need it. I was considering getting the hovabator model, but at 40.00 for just the fan I decided a PC fan would work just as well (since everyone seems to do that anyway).

 

[Edwards' East of Eden]

Most people tell you to turn 3-5 times a day, but always an odd number of times so that if there's a long period of time without turning, the eggs rest on the opposite side on opposing days. 24/3=8 ... having a nine hour gap for turning would have been fine. You wouldn't hurt them. Promise.

Chickens don't wear watches. I swear it.

 

[Barbedwirecat]

Dang, you mean they don't all hatch out at the same time either?!?!

Thank you for easing my mind, I didn't know if that would be OK or not so I may just return this 45 dollar auto turner and do it myself!

If they did tho, mine would totally wear Swatches! They are gonna just be that cool.

 

[Dipsy Doodle Doo]

I don't remember where I got that idea, maybe from you Melly!

I try to remember to turn eggs about every 8 hrs, but honestly I hardly ever do.
16 eggs per pvc, 8 pvc per rack, 4 racks = "trouble"
If it was just me here, I'd turn my half-bath into an incubator in a heartbeat. My darling husband would have a conniption.

Lisa