Wooden incubator

[RSP Crazy]

Originally Posted by dickyknee

I used sheets of foam from the local hardware the have a specialist section that does foam and rubber , but some one like clark rubber does them too .
It comes in 1200x600 sheets in various thicknesses and was not overly expensive , use a long sharp knife to cut it .

And what thickness do you recommend?

[dickyknee]

Originally Posted by RSP Crazy

And what thickness do you recommend?

I think i use 20mm , but i am sure 10 would be fine if your double walling it .

[SNKMST]

Here are the shots of the incubator Dicky built for me.

[RSP Crazy]

Hey SNKMST, where did you get the white grates in your tubs from? I've tried bunnings but they said they have never herd of it.

[SNKMST]

It's called Egg Crate do a search online, I got 5 sheets in a bulk deal for a few friends, I can't remember the name of the place but they are in Brisbane, some Clark Rubber stores will stock it.

[dickyknee]

Here ya go Josh , Mines not to flash but it works very well .
Fits 4 SIM tubs / 3L sistemas per shelf and 2 on the bottom , so plenty of space for my needs .
1 x 9m cord run across the bottom and up the sides , Habistat pulse .

[GSXR_Boy2]

Cheers Brett thanks for that. I could remember seeing it but couldn't remember how it was set up. Do you run fans in yours at all?

[dickyknee]

Originally Posted by GSXR_Boy2

Cheers Brett thanks for that. I could remember seeing it but couldn't remember how it was set up. Do you run fans in yours at all?

No Fans in mine .

[GSXR_Boy2]

Okay cheers. i found i was getting a big differnce between shelves. Going to reconfigure the cord, add a fan and try again

[RSP Crazy]

gday all,

I have finely finished my double walled wooden incubator. it took a little longer then expected because timbers were cut wrong, i got sick and i had to build it in my reptile room which is very cramped. it only has a 0.4 degree differance from top to bottom and it dosent have fans in it yet. anyway here are some pics of it.

IMG_0211.jpg

IMG_0232.jpg

IMG_0260.jpg

IMG_0263.jpg

IMG_0279.jpg

IMG_0291.jpg

IMG_0321.jpg

IMG_0327.jpg

IMG_0344.jpg

IMG_0339.jpg

[RSP Crazy]

This is how it was built.

The inside wall is 12mm plywood (helps with weight and insulation), the outside wall is 16mm melamine, the foam in the middle is 20mm, the inside dimensions are 905 L x 800 H x 600 D, the outside dimensions are 1001 L x 896 H x 648 D, the 2 steel peg board shelves are 900 L x 460 D (the shelves are not as wide because i had to leave space for fans at the back and front). I also estapolled the inside to protect the ply from the heat. only problem with that is even though its dry the smell wont be gone for a week or two.

It holds 16 7L sistema tubs (i will be useing smaller tubs for most things but the 7L tubs for my BHP's), it has two 9M 80W heat cords running over the top, bottom, sides and back and they are both controled by 1 dimming microclimate model B1.

I used piano hinge for the double doors which meet up with a support beam in to middle to make sure the doors seal.
I have sealed the doors with 2 types of 9mm insulating foam tape, 1 type for heat only and another type for heat and insects (to make sure nothing gets in or out).

I was going to drill holes in the incubator for the heat cords, microstat and thermometers but because of how thick the insulating foam tape is, all i had to do was run the cords in the gap between the doors and the incubator and the foam tape seals around the cords perfectly. So no need for the drill.

I lock the doors with 4 box roller catchs at the top and bottom so i dont need locks on the out side, it just holds the doors in tight.

Exept for waiting for the estapol smell to go, i dont have 1 problem with it. The temps are almost perfect (only 0.4 degree's differance from top to bottom without fans) and its also the perfect hight and size for a work table in my reptile room, so even though its big its saving me space.

All up it has cost me $830 but that dosent bother me as i got the money selling only 3 snakes. it was worth it.

Anyway i would like the thank everyone for there help answering my questions and sharing what they know, it has helped make a very good working incubator and helped me get through this season.

Thanks again,
Brendan. (RSP Crazy)

[dickyknee]

$830 is a lot for an incubator , but as you said its only a few hatchlings and a good way to look at it too .
Looking at it id say it will hold heat very well , good luck with this seasons eggs in it .

[RSP Crazy]

Thanks Dicky, i should have some BHP eggs in it in about a week or two and then some spotteds, childrens and maybe some albino darwins if I'm lucky. I can't wait.