Incubators

[danish72]

Hello,
I am in the market to purchase an incubator. Which one is best??

Thank you!

 

[TreeTopChameleons]

It really depends on the amount of eggs you will be incubating. However, have you considered just placing them inside a bedroom closet? Unless you have wild temperature swings, many people seem to use this method and have posted good results generally.

 

[chameleonkev]

Pollybox with a heat mat and thermostat, I brought one of these rip of incubators witch is being used but it does no more than the pollybox does

 

[danish72]

I used the closet method with my last 2 clutches and had 100% hatch rate, but I just thought maybe I should upgrade.

 

[TreeTopChameleons]

In my opinion, if its not broken-don't fix it. You have to also consider the fact the when running a single incubator, there is the possibility of a malfunction resulting in several clutches of cooked eggs...in the closet, the chances of an extreme change in temperatures is very small, if not impossible...to me the closet is a much safer method to incubate, even if it does mean that incubation takes a month or two longer. I feel that incubators are really the best option for eggs that require much hotter temperatures to hatch. Crested geckos, chameleons etc don't require high temperatures, so in my opinion, they do not really require an incubator.

 

[Swayne8998]

Sorry, don't mean to steal the thread, but since it's on the topic...

What is the closet method? What do you keep the eggs in (container)? How deep is the vermiculite or whatever you use? What humidity? How do you line up the eggs?

Thanks, and again, no intention to steal the thread

 

[danish72]

Excellent point about the incubator malfunctioning! I will stick to the closet method.

Thank you!

 

[danish72]

The closet method: I used a plastic shoe box in about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of vermiculite

I drilled two 1/8 inch holes into the lid for a little air exchange

I misted the lid 2 times per month.

 

[biffle]

In Texas, my eggs get to 83-84 in the closet. That's above the recommended temps right?

I had an Exo-terra incubator and loved it until it died (10 months) like they tend to do. :-(
I have not found any other incubators that cool for less than $200.

I'm still looking for an option too.

Jason