DIY Incubator ideas.

JustMeNmySnakes · 01-15-16, 03:02 PM

I've seen many different ways to turn different things into reptile egg incubators. Just curious if for the sake of curiosity, if anyone has ever thought of or done an incubator from an old or worn out microwave or even a standard size oven. I know the microwave isn't very big, but if for personal use with say a super dwarf Retic or leopard geckos...
Thanks...Just curious since these devices are designed to withstand heat even though incubating eggs doesn't even reach 100 degrees... What do you think?

**Minkness** · 01-15-16, 03:22 PM

I would think those are a bit bulky and limiting, but I don't see why they wouldn't work.

JustMeNmySnakes · 01-15-16, 03:49 PM

True as the limiting factor, but say for example I want to breed my Leo's and hatch the eggs, that would appear to be a fairly reasonable size since I'm not doing it on a large scale. Even if my 4 females lay at once, that's one small container. Great point though Logan!
Even if one of my super dwarf or dwarf Retics layed a clutch, so long as I've converted a large commercial size or older style microwave, which were considerably larger, it would appear to be sufficient.. Speculating of course, but this is why I'm asking.
The other reason, is I've had a difficult time finding a wine/beverage fridge or chiller that's inoperable or for cheap. Craigslist is my usual go to and I've even started looking at the scratch n dent sales, but...nothing so far... Thanks for the input.. I appreciate it.

**Minkness** · 01-15-16, 04:16 PM

When I incubatemy leos eggs, I use a normal tank with a uth under it and a layer of substrate (ecoearth works best as it helps hold moisture) then used delli cups with more ecoearth in them and make little divits for each egg, then seal the delicups with the usual lids. I helped maintain the desired temps by the thickness of the substrate in the tank. (I usually used sanichips because that's what was available). I kept the usual screen lid on it to keep the cat out of it.

I didn't loose a single egg using this method, but when I got a legit egg incubator and followed directions (it was like a reptibator, the sturofoam kind) I lost EVERY egg to drying out, even when in air tight containers with wet ecoearth.

Ince I'm settled into a new house, I plan on setting this method up again so I can breed my leos next year. =)

Also, if you up the heat just a bit and then stack another deli cup of eggs in top of the bottom, you will get males in the bottom and females in the top. I only want to produce females personally, so I only do 1 layer on low heat (80 even) and even with 2 females laying I never needed more than a standard 10 gallon tank for space.

If you want a gradient, then you can use a thurmostat and 2 uths.

treaux · 01-15-16, 05:11 PM

The easiest way I've seen is to just buy a cooler and modify it to be an incubator. Heat tape on the floor, some water bottles and a rack to put the tubs on. There are lots of tutorials on Youtube or forums if you google it.

pet_snake_78 · 01-15-16, 06:44 PM

I am not an expert on this nor have I tried using the appliances you mentioned, but I have to agree with the above -- a cooler is cheap, known to be highly effective, and is much easier to work with.

chairman · 01-16-16, 12:00 PM

Most microwaves won't be insulated (unless it is also a convection oven). But even then, they're not really designed to efficiently trap heat. Plus they have a lot of wasted space and added weight in the form of a high voltage transformer and magnetron. You would also have to be careful gutting it, they contain a high voltage capacitor that can give a nasty shock.

Ovens are much better at trapping heat. They're also prewired with a thermostat, though you'd have to swap it out for one that can be set for a temperature lower than 100F. I'd also swap out the heat elements for something that isn't capable of generating excessive heat... go for flexwatt.

So, realistically, the only advantage that an oven would have over a cooler is a glass door to view your eggs with because of all the parts you'd need to swap out. You'd probably be better off with a cooler or an old fridge.

JustMeNmySnakes · 01-16-16, 02:39 PM

Just picked up a small vinotemp wine fridge with a single clear glass door. It actually looks more like a regular fridge. It works, but it's the best I could do.. $50...
Wish me luck cause I've got an $1100 vinotemp SS dual zone 2 door VT34 that needs parts to work. Maybe I'll be able to repurpose some parts. If not, I'll make another incubator for smaller reptiles or small clutches..

Nightflight99 · 01-16-16, 07:25 PM

Back in the day, I used to take an aquarium or plastic tub of suitable size and fill it with a few inches of water. Then I'd take an aquarium heater to warm up the water, and place the eggs in a small deli cup or shoebox filled with the incubation substrate of choice. The delip cup/shoebox would be placed in the water, so that a significant portion of it was submerged, without any risk of water actually getting into the incubation container. Depending on the size, I'd sometimes use a brick in the water, on which I'd set the incubation container onto. The entire contraption would then be closed with a lid, and the aquarium heater would be controlled by a rheostat or thermostat. You have to play with it a bit before actually using it in order to get the temperature just right, but it actually worked quite well, and was very cheap to build.

**Andy_G** · 01-21-16, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightflight99

Back in the day, I used to take an aquarium or plastic tub of suitable size and fill it with a few inches of water. Then I'd take an aquarium heater to warm up the water, and place the eggs in a small deli cup or shoebox filled with the incubation substrate of choice. The delip cup/shoebox would be placed in the water, so that a significant portion of it was submerged, without any risk of water actually getting into the incubation container. Depending on the size, I'd sometimes use a brick in the water, on which I'd set the incubation container onto. The entire contraption would then be closed with a lid, and the aquarium heater would be controlled by a rheostat or thermostat. You have to play with it a bit before actually using it in order to get the temperature just right, but it actually worked quite well, and was very cheap to build.

Now THAT'S old school. I read about that method in books when I was really little!

Keep your eye out on kijiji/craigslist for used fridges. If you gut one and put a computer fan or two in and rig it up with a RHP, it works wonderfully.

Nightflight99 · 01-21-16, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy_G

Now THAT'S old school. I read about that method in books when I was really little!

I think somebody may have just called me old.

**Andy_G** · 01-21-16, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightflight99

I think somebody may have just called me old.

...but not senile, evidently...

**Minkness** · 01-21-16, 04:49 PM

Lol! That exchange was awesome. Thanks for the laugh guys, I needed that! ^_^

Nightflight99 · 01-21-16, 06:16 PM

sirtalis · 01-21-16, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treaux

The easiest way I've seen is to just buy a cooler and modify it to be an incubator. Heat tape on the floor, some water bottles and a rack to put the tubs on. There are lots of tutorials on Youtube or forums if you google it.

Thats what I did in the past