geckonamedspot
New member
does anyone know how to incubate eggs at a controlled temperature without buying an expensive incubator?
incubate eggs cheap
- Thread starter geckonamedspot
- Start date
It depends on what you mean by "expensive". A hobovator, or any other bird egg incubator is relatively inexpensive (under $50), though it works best with a good proportional thermostat. There are directions online for making your own out of a mini fridge, a styrofoam cooler or an aquarium with heater. Google will take you there. If you have a place in your house where you can guarantee stable temps in the right range, that's the cheapest incubator of all. As in most cases, though, you get what you pay for (though your labor to build a good DIY incubator is worth quite a lot).
Aliza
Aliza
Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
As mentioned, hovabators are under $50. They've been used for ages by reptile breeders/hobbyists. Honestly, if you can't afford $50 to hatch the eggs, you might want to wait until you're in a better financial position before breeding your geckos.
diplodactyla
New member
this is my incubator, very cheap as you can see...and it have never failed!
geckonamedspot
New member
thanks youy guys really helpful
geckogirl123
New member
wow i dident think you could do that for very cheap!
diplodactyla
New member
It's possible and had worked till now for leos, diplodactylus, and nephrurus.
geckonamedspot
New member
hey diplodactyla, what was that wire or tubing you had running through yours?
diplodactyla
New member
it's a normal 50w heatcable!! I made a hole on a side of the box to insert the cable and the probe of the termostat!
Allee Toler
Member
Even if you did was Diplodactyla did, you'd have to pay for a thermostat. The cheapest I found was $30. The heat cable's like $15. Count? $45...
diplodactyla
New member
Nothing is for free!!
My termostat is the most economical in my country, this one (I think you can find it online) named RESUN TS 600 (with probe)
http://www.wipeoutlifestyle.com/files/immagini/1289-19246459.jpg
was paid 15euros
tha cable was paid the same at a reptile show!
My termostat is the most economical in my country, this one (I think you can find it online) named RESUN TS 600 (with probe)
http://www.wipeoutlifestyle.com/files/immagini/1289-19246459.jpg
was paid 15euros
tha cable was paid the same at a reptile show!
Allee Toler
Member
Exactly. He wants cheap. You can't get cheap if you're incubating eggs, even when it's a DIY incubator. Either way he'd be spending, to him, a lot of money.
diplodactyla
New member
The cheapest way is to incubate the egg on a shelf! Someone in my country does this thing during summer but I won't try it with my eggs!
geckonamedspot
New member
well allee toler, how do you expect me to incubate eggs cheap??
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Allee Toler
Member
If you can't afford to incubate, then you're not going to incubate. I don't see what this issue is. Can't incubate if you can't get the right temps. You asked for a cheaper way, and the cheapest anyone suggested was $50. Even then you need a thermostat, which the cheapest I've seen is $30. If you do a DIY, or even if you don't, if the temps flux too much you can kill your eggs, and if they hatch there's a possibility for deformities. I had an earthquake on Easter and my bator was knocked over. I just hatched a baby with a small arm. Doing the heat cable, cooler, thermostat way is just fine if you do it properly, but it won't be cheap to do it properly. Hovabators are $40 here. Though I do love my $80 repti-pro I got on sale with a built in thermostat.
geckonamedspot
New member
what kind of incubator did u get???
Allee Toler
Member
It's the exact same as the Repti-Pro. LLLReptile Pro MR-148 Incubator I got mine on sale in the store, as I'm local.
I love it. The digital readout on mine is off compared to the internal temp, which I've read from a few people that even the Repti-Pro is the same. Flaws with this incubator is the temp variant, as heat rises and it's tall. The top shelf in mine (I used egg crate lighting material to make extra shelves) is 88F, the bottom floor is 81F, mid shelf is 84F. I have both female and male eggs incubating. For small time breeders, like myself, I love it. I don't need more than one incubator. You do, however, need to run it for a few days to get the internet temp correct for what you need it to be at. The read out is something I do not depend on, and don't suggest it. My read out says 92F. Lol.
Edit* And the internal temp doesn't flux more than .5F even with the flux outdoor/indoor temps.
I love it. The digital readout on mine is off compared to the internal temp, which I've read from a few people that even the Repti-Pro is the same. Flaws with this incubator is the temp variant, as heat rises and it's tall. The top shelf in mine (I used egg crate lighting material to make extra shelves) is 88F, the bottom floor is 81F, mid shelf is 84F. I have both female and male eggs incubating. For small time breeders, like myself, I love it. I don't need more than one incubator. You do, however, need to run it for a few days to get the internet temp correct for what you need it to be at. The read out is something I do not depend on, and don't suggest it. My read out says 92F. Lol.
Edit* And the internal temp doesn't flux more than .5F even with the flux outdoor/indoor temps.
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diplodactyla
New member
Allee your incubator looks great, I've spent some time looking online to find one similar in Italy or at least in Europe...but it doesnt exist :-( I think I'll have to go on with my DIY one, maybe I'll make a better one!
Allee Toler
Member
Ever thought of using a mini-fridge, and putting heat cable in it? Or putting heat tape in it. I know people have done it.
Riverside Reptiles
Administrator (HMFIC)
As many flaws as that thing sounds like it has, I think I'll stick with the classic hovabators. Sounds like a piece of junk inside a fancy plastic case.