My new leo incubator!

[Leos r gr8]

Hi everybody
This is the incubator that I constructed for my soon to come leopard gecko eggs, it concists of a 100 watt fish tank heater, a bit of perspex(for a viewing window in the lid), a 10 litre lug box and a piece of "weldmesh" (the expensive but worth it stuff that parrot breeders use)
This cost me R120.00 in total to build!

I cut a hole in the side and pushed the heater through, leaving the head(bit where you set the temp) outside, I then sealed the hole with silicone.
This was a cheap and easy project and if the incubator actually works I will build a few more!







So, what do you think?

[Dragon Breeder]

Wow, it certainly looks very good leosrgr8, although i would cover your leo eggs with sphagnum moss so that there are no drips onto the top of the eggs from condensation on the lid of your tubs.

i have no idea how to do that without covering them with moss but it worked for me.

Erik

[steve]

looks legit! nice work.

[Trayton]

it looks great!you should definately let us know if it works!don't see why it shouldn't!

[Leos r gr8]

I really hope it does, with Nelspruit's fluctuating temps it's hard to keep it running at a constant 28 degrees

[Michelle]

That's what I found too. The fishtank heater system does not keep a constant temp. They still hatched out using this system but I like things to be "just right" so I changed to the other system!

You have done a good job. Well done, it looks great!

[Leos r gr8]

Thanks Michelle
I've got a commercial bird incubator like the ones you build but I was told that that wouldn't get humid enough, I use it to hatch out quail but for 1500 Rand it would be nice if I could incubate leo eggs in there too

[Michelle]

It can work but you must keep close eye on the vermiculites moisture levels. You can cover the eggs and spray every couple of days

[gorltbt]

Hi there,

I use a bird incubator to hatch my Leo eggs & it works fine. I mist the vermiculite once a week (covering the eggs so that they do not get water directly onto them). This works for me.

[froot]

Leosrgr8, I am very impressed with your incubator. In order for the temperature to be more controllable, it would need better thermal insulation from it's environment. Those polystyrene sixpack coolers spring to mind.
It's a nice compact design, hope it works.

[s'mee]

Froot makes a good point. You will have a rapid rate of heat loss through the walls of the container as is and the heater/thermostat will be working over time.
I would insulate the outsides of the container - polystyrene sheeting or the foam rubber they use to make those roll-up camping matresses works well. Glue it to the outside of the box.

Get yourself a minimum-maximum thermometer and run the incubator for a while BEFORE you put any eggs into it to determine the best setting for the thermostat You will probably find that a lower setting will be sufficient once you have proper insulation.

[Leos r gr8]

Thanks everybody!
I will definetly try to insulate it a bit more, I think I will take it apart and do the same sort of thing again to one of those polystyrene coolers