Reptipro 5000 Incubator

[StevenW.]

Please read post #1 the words in RED and BOLD!
Thanks

 

[tornado8070]

Quote:
I am with you on this one.

 

[Jonny]

Quote:
I will let you know for sure if I get some silkies

I wouldn't do a staggered hatch if knew that the silkie eggs would arrive so much later. Live and learn. But I'm staying positive. I put some paper on the shelf so they won't fall down, plus I covered the gap in front of the door.
It won't be a problem for next time, the only problem I see for my next hatch would be if I decide to put in more eggs then what would fit on the one shelf. I made a second shelf as well, but then the temp difference was just way too uneven from the top to the middle part of the bator. (the air circulation got way too interrupted) I think I will try another incubator next time. I'm not that pro yet.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Quote:
While I appreciate your wanting to keep this a positive thread, it's very important that everyone contribute their experiences OR observations to make incubating in this incubator the best experience possible.

Unfortunately, on a public forum you cannot dictate folks responses. As long as a post doesn't have a negative tone, it can be informative and thought provoking.

 

[perolane]

It's a learning experience with every hatch Jonny.....trying to recreate conditions that Mother Nature has down pat. Every incubator has it's quirks & there are so many variables involved (where you live, where the bator is located, humidity , temp, breed you're hatching, quality of the eggs, nutrition & genetics of the breeding stock, etc). Keep records & after a few hatches, you'll see a pattern as to what works & what doesn't. Don't give up!!

If you do decide to try another incubator....save yourself some grief & stay away from the little styrofoam jobs. They'll frustrate you to no end.

 

[perolane]

While I appreciate your wanting to keep this a positive thread, it's very important that everyone contribute their experiences OR observations to make incubating in this incubator the best experience possible.

I have to agree with three cedars silkies here ducklover......anyone who has questions or experiences with the Reptipro whether good or bad, will help us & the manufacturer make this incubator better for all of us.

 

[pascopol]

Quote:
*The Brinsea Eco runs about $100 & holds 10 eggs. My Reptipro costs $150 & holds 37 eggs.
*Turners are available....I think it's 32 egg capacity with turner...still more than Brinsea's 10 egg capacity.
*I have top/bottom temperature difference of 2 degees...I place eggs on the upper & middle levels & have great hatches. ...Yes, I place eggs on 2 levels.

No brainer??? I don't think so....but then not all of us can afford expensive incubators with "all the bells & whistles" or even need them.. those who can & do, go for it!

Quote:
*The Brinsea Eco runs about $100 & holds 10 eggs. My Reptipro costs $150 & holds 37 eggs.
*Turners are available....I think it's 32 egg capacity with turner...still more than Brinsea's 10 egg capacity.
*I have top/bottom temperature difference of 2 degees...I place eggs on the upper & middle levels & have great hatches. ...Yes, I place eggs on 2 levels.

No brainer??? I don't think so....but then not all of us can afford expensive incubators with "all the bells & whistles" or even need them.. those who can & do, go for it!

Perolane

If you dispute what I said in my post read it through first.
Brisea ECO 20 I mentioned has original capacity about 24 chicken eggs capacity not 10 as you say, (still ECO 20 could be easy modified to double it's original 24 capacity) also for $250 you can get 2 Brinsea ECO,s ($99 + one turner ) for 1 of them (autocraddle).

If you do not want to spend $250 you can get one Brinsea ECO currently on sale for $99.00

Reading some post here Reptipro more than one problem (one of them ventilation). Advocating "opening the door to let fresh air " in will not really work during hatch time will it? You are going to lose humidity opening the door, or suffocate chicks during hatch if there is no air exchange.

2 degrees difference between upper and lower shelf is not very impressive for any commercial bator. My first homemade small cabinet bator does much better, only about O.5 F difference through, measuring any given spot.

Yes it is no brainer choosing between Reptipro and Brinsea of any kind from the inexpensive ECO 20 $99.00 to more pricey models, all Brisea models are proven, giving their owners outstanding performance, durability, and bang for money.

Recently more and more people are buying and enjoying Brinsea bators on BYC, and rightly so.

 

[gryeyes]

Quote:
I am a Brinsea fan myself, but I bought the Reptipro5000 to compare and because I was lured to purchase by the interior light and the large viewing window/door, which I love.

However, the above issues are a concern to me. In addition to those, the fan is by the top shelf, where the temp is most accurate. I just rescued a badly shrink-wrapped chick which had zipped most of the way around the shell before the membrane dried and horribly constricted it. In the Brinsea incubators, there is a plexiglas shield between the fan and eggs, so nothing moves the air right ON the chicks (if that makes sense).

I am going to have to be very much more careful if I hatch again using the Reptipro. Not so with the Brinseas.

 

[Jonny]

Quote:
I had the exact same problem with my Reptipro. The fan on the top blows a lot of direct hot air onto the eggs which is not good. I also had to help a chick by cutting through the dry membrane. I waited almost 48 hours, and then when I woke up in the morning and saw there was still no progress I decided to rescue it. It was impossible for it to get through the membrane. This could also have been a problem due to too little humidity, but I believe the fan dries it out as well.

Peroplane... Thank you for your inputs!! I think without you I would have a zero hatch rate! You are a very helpful person! And thanks for the input on styrofoam bators..
I think I'll try the Brinsea Eco 20 next time! Looks very plain and simple.. and it's made for hatching chicks!

 

[perolane]

You're welcome Jonny...I try!

Pascapol... I am not "disputing" your post.

I'm only trying to put the differences out there. Forgive me as the first Brinsea Eco I found held 10 eggs. You stated that standard turners would not fit...you're right, BUT there are turners available for this unit. You also stated that placing eggs on 2 levels was "no good".....I do it & it works for me.

As long as I have no pipping, I certaintly do open the door during "lockdown"...haven't had problems as this unit recovers temp/humidity so fast. I've not had shrink wrapping problems, temp spikes, or humidity issues either. With my own eggs...touchy lav silkies at that....I have great hatches!!! Shipped eggs, not so good...but then no one usually has great hatches with shipped eggs.

Lastly, I think we are confusing "bottom" of incubator with "bottom shelf". The shelves are at the upper third of the unit. The very bottom of the unit is the water tray.

To those who do not like this unit & choose to use another.....happy hatching!!!

I'm not trying to push this incubator on any of you. From my very first post, I have honestly given advice on using this incubator including working with it's flaws. We're all in the same boat here...just trying to get decent hatches, no matter how we get them!

I'll help because I have experience using this incubator...but I won't argue about the facts I know to be true when hatching with this incubator!