Hey I was just wondering who has manufactured incubators other than natures spirits? I am looking to buy a bigger one for next season and I am not really sure who I want to buy from.

Hey Winston..if you want an incubator bigger than a NS I would highly suggest you make your own out of an old fridge or even better a stand up freezer.

Anything bigger than a NS is going to be big dollars. And all it consists of is an insulated box, a heat source, a thermostat and usually a fan. You can make one yourself for a FRACTION of the cost. And you dont even need to be especially handy.

Here's what you need:

1. Old fridge or freezer. Check used applianced stores. They usually have some dead ones laying around that you can get for free or for a few bucks. Have them remove the freon for you. Then you're all set.

2. A piece of flexwatt large enough for your freezer/fridge. Usually a 2-3' piece. I for mine from Reptile Basics and they wire it for you for free.

3. Thermostat. Here is your only high cost item. If you got for a proportional like a Helix it will cost you some bucks. If you dont you can save some money. But I would suggest buying a good quality t-stat.

3. Fan. Most people use them, some dont. Computer fans work well.

4. (Optional) I like to use a digital thermometer with a probe as a back up. I also use a temp gun to check it up and down.

I have a thread on here about how to put one together. Lemme try to find it. But trust me its easy!


Found it! http://www.reptileradio.net/reptileradio/showthread.php?t=1165

I'm with V if you go bigger probably building your own is a lot cheaper route...but here is a link to a guy that makes larger ones..I know nothing about him..it's just an ad I have seen on KS.

http://market.kingsnake.com/detail.php?cat=22&de=654339

Casey at NS built a buddy of mine a large 5 foot tall incubator awhile back, not sure on price or any of the particulars beyond knowing that he does do some custom stuff....may want to hit them up for something like that if all else fails.

Theres a guy who posts ads on kingsnake that will make custom incubators also. I don't know anything about the guy or his reputation, but the pics he posts of the racks and incubators are pretty sweet. The ads are in the cages/racks section.

I do think you will end up with a better incubator if you make one yourself out of a freezer. It may not look as nice, but it should hold the temps better than anything else. But, if you don't have the time or would rather pay someone to build something for you, I'd check that guy out. I think his name is Paul Edwards. He uses hollow PVC cores, so it is a little better insulated than just a normal PVC box.

I made one out of plywood.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j133/claudeY/IMG_0411.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j133/claudeY/IMG_0393.jpg
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j133/claudeY/IMG_0403.jpg
2 inch insulation, 2 computer fans (radio shack) and 4 ft. of 12 inch flexwatt. Hope this helps.

Wow guys thanks a ton for all your replies! I really appreciate it.

Buckskin, that is a pretty sweet looking incubator. I really like the rope lights in there. Does it hold temps as steady as a freezer would?

Nice incubator Buck :rockon:

Nice incubator Buck :rockon:

Ditto, slick job! :yessir:

You should put a disco ball in there. :)....or a strobe light!

I made one out of plywood.

2 inch insulation, 2 computer fans (radio shack) and 4 ft. of 12 inch flexwatt. Hope this helps.

I was actually just going to suggest that, looks good. One idea I wanted to try was to just build a frame out of wood and use that 1" thick insulating foam board for the walls, I don't think you could get much more light weight than that.

Damn Buckskin, really nice job. I'm really digging the way you have the helix and outlets setup. :cheers:

You should put a disco ball in there. :)....or a strobe light!

:lmao: