where'd u get your thermometer/hygrometer? I'm not having any luck!

[cjeanean]

I'm looking for one of the probe thermometer/hygrometers that everyone has pictured inside their bators, and that I remember my dad buying for his grill. Can't find them, and when I do they're like $30. Where is everyone getting theirs??? I found some at Petsmart, but they're just little dial stick ons and I don't know how accurate they are. Please help me out! I'm building next weekend and I want to start finding my supplies!!! Also, I can't find water wigglers....are they 100% necessary???

 

[shelleyd2008]

Walmart carries them, but they are at least $20 if not $30. Other than that I don't know. You could probably use a regular dial type meat thermometer for the wiggler, with a digital hygro/thermometer for the humidity. Don't use the digital meat thermometers, I tried one of those and it was wacky if left in the bator!

 

[cjeanean]

I found some that might work, the problem is that they aren't probe type. I like the idea of using a regular meat probe, and I want to have at least three in there so that I can make sure the temps/humidity are right. Now the problem is the water wiggler. I'm thinking about filling a glove up with water and using that, or a ziplock. I dunno. Anyone know the marketing name for water wigglers???

 

[shelleyd2008]

The marketing name for water wigglers is 'water wigglers'!! They are also on amazon.com listed as 'water wiggles'.

You can use the ziploc baggies. Try using search for the exact instructions on how to use it (the baggies).

 

[Msbear]

It's just two baggies filled with water and laying on top of eachother...the probe goes in between. This isn't necessary but I've heard stories how the temps in the bator were high but the temps in the wigglers were good so they left it. Like a two degree defference.

We're making one too and just got a cheap thermometer/hygrometer and a decent digital one (to compare with eachother) on Ebay...and now Im thinking of using the baggies and meat thermometer

My problem is finding a water heater thermastat that goes down to 95 degrees. All the ones I've found (on recycled water heaters) only go down to 115

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Walmart did not have the one I want but we found some in home depot

 

[Msbear]

wanted to add... I saw another post where they say the water wiggler is the most important thing in a homemade styrofoam bator...and they just did one baggy, filled it and folded it in half (makes more sense)

There is also a post, which I found most useful, when building a homemade bator. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=89521 My hubby is also an electrician and said this post makes complete sense....enjoy

 

[speckledhen]

The one I get at Walmart are only about $12 (AcuRite with probe and indoor/outdoor temp with INdoor humidity-probe only reads temp)
They have several other models from both AcuRite and Springfield. I have a Taylor from ACE hardware that is very accurate with the probe, but does not read humidity. Not sure what that cost, but only about $15 if I recall.
The Flukers digital temp/humidity from the petstore is accurate unless you get the ones that fluctuate wildly-I returned the first one I had. Its $25.

 

[cjeanean]

thanks, everyone! I've been searching the websites for thermometers/hygrometers and so far no luck on inexpensive/probes, so I'm headed up to walmart to see for myself. If anyone comes up with anything else please post!!! Thanks again!

 

[Akane]

Petsmart in the reptile section. Also petland, petco, and any other chain petstore or store that sells reptiles will have them. $10