tips and secrets of the GQF 1502 sportsman...

[cmom]

Quote:
Mine is old and it did originally come with a wafer thermostat that we changed years ago to an electronic thermostat. The hatcher in the new cabinets appear to be made of something like card board, maybe it is plastic but to me it looks to be not as sturdy and I do think it is deeper but the racks are different too and they didn't have the metal trays like my old one does, at least the one I looked at. I think the cabinet is some type of plastic too.

 

[cmom]

I think the Genesis 1588 is a great incubator. I have some old Hova-Bators I use as hatchers.

 

[KF0002]

I have 2 brinsea Octo 20 with the heat pump do I will be using them from now on to hatch in. I need more space to hatch.

Am considering purchasing the 1588 to use as a Hatcher. I'm concerned about the humidity as I have never used one. Can you explain your procedure?

In the sportsman I never had trouble keeping the humidity up during lockdown. I just filled the pan and put in 2 humidity pads and that kept the humidity up around 65-70%. The pan stays full for a few days but you can use the bucket auto water system to add to the water pan and you just fill the bucket. Mine malfunction once and I stopped using the bucket system because I no longer trusted it. You can adjust the vent hole covers to lower or increase humidity as well.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

I have a sportsman 1520 filled with eggs also gave the humidity bucket. It's working great. I want to do staggered hatched. I have the 2 Brinsea Octo 20s to hatch in but need another Hatcher. I was thinking of purchasing the Genesis 1588 to use as an additional Hatcher. How do you keep the humidity up? As I have never used one before.

 

[KF0002]

Mine is old and it did originally come with a wafer thermostat that we changed years ago to an electronic thermostat. The hatcher in the new cabinets appear to be made of something like card board, maybe it is plastic but to me it looks to be not as sturdy and I do think it is deeper but the racks are different too and they didn't have the metal trays like my old one does, at least the one I looked at. I think the cabinet is some type of plastic too.

Yeah the newer ones are made out of plastic so at least they won't rot. The turning racks don't have the setting trays but it says you really don't need them. The turning racks have more metal on the bottom of each one so they hold the egg trays easily. I will more than likely use my Genesis as a hatcher. It is a little beast of an incubator and I can regulate the humidity well without even opening the incubator. I get excellent hatch rates in it. Plus my son loves watching the babies hatch. lol

 

[KF0002]

I have a sportsman 1520 filled with eggs also gave the humidity bucket. It's working great. I want to do staggered hatched. I have the 2 Brinsea Octo 20s to hatch in but need another Hatcher. I was thinking of purchasing the Genesis 1588 to use as an additional Hatcher. How do you keep the humidity up? As I have never used one before.

I don't go by the manufacturer's instructions for my Genesis. I am pretty stubborn that way. It says not to increase humidity past 65% but I do. I fill all of the channel reseviors in the bottom to the brim and put the plug in and that usually does the trick. Gets humidity up around 68-70%. If that doesn't work to get it up, take out the plastic water pan and use 5 mason jar lids, 1 in each corner and 1 in the center and sit the wire rack on the lids. You can then fill the entire bottom of the incubator with water to jack the humidity up. With a plastic tubing, you can siphon water into the incubator through the vent hole without even opening the incubator.

 

[OHfarmerswife]

I don't go by the manufacturer's instructions for my Genesis.  I am pretty stubborn that way.  It says not to increase humidity past 65% but I do.  I fill all of the channel reseviors in the bottom to the brim and put the plug in and that usually does the trick.  Gets humidity up around 68-70%.  If that doesn't work to get it up, take out the plastic water pan and use 5 mason jar lids, 1 in each corner and 1 in the center and sit the wire rack on the lids.  You can then fill the entire bottom of the incubator with water to jack the humidity up.  With a plastic tubing, you can siphon water into the incubator through the vent hole without even opening the incubator.  

Thanks kfelton0002
I appreciate your help. I ordered my Genesis today will be here next week. If I have questions hope you don't mind my asking.

 

[KYBOY]

Pound for pound its hard to beat a 1588..They are just good solid incubators. We have two of them(had another gave it to a friend) and also a older 1583..The 1583 is like the 1588 but with a wafer thermostat..Ive said for a long time I was going to trade if off and replace it with another 1588 but its just keeps chugging along..It keeps temp very,very well for a wafer bater..Just picked it up from a local school today that we loaned it too. they hatched 17 out of 18 eggs in it..hard to complain about that..
We have a Dickey incubator that we do hatch in..One of the reasons I went with the dickey over the sportsmen is the metal trays(not a knock on the sportsmen just personal preference)..I have lids I made for my trays and I can hatch in all levels of the dickey if I want to..
We'll be ordering a Dickey hatcher before springs over to help out though..

 

[KF0002]

Thanks kfelton0002
I appreciate your help. I ordered my Genesis today will be here next week. If I have questions hope you don't mind my asking.

I wouldnt mind at all. Glad I could help!

 

[duluthralphie]

Do all of you use pads in the sportsmans (for humidity) or just a pan of water?