live food incubator

nish07 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-20-2008, 03:30 AM

Lemme know if you have any suggestions here.

I took a mini fridge and tore out the condenser and cut out the copper pipes. I cut the rear cooling plate and cut out a hole to put in the dimmable lamp fixture from zoomed which has a heat emitter bulb. I've dimmed the bulb so the max heat away from the thermometer when it's directly below and in front of it is around 80 degrees and the temp probe at the top is connected to a thermostat that stops the heat when it reaches 80ish degrees. There are no fans in it but I could see how one would help so I'm considering adding one. Will hold approximately 30 fruit fly cultures plus the tropical spring culture in the bottom. Shelves in the doors may hold more but I haven't cleaned them and put them in yet.

-Nish

SLEDDER23 · #2 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008, 01:16 AM

I thought about doing similar, but was going to just build it out of 2x4s and styrofoam from furniture store dumpster with an aquarium heater in small water tank for temperature maintenance. Let us know how that works, I think you'll be pleased.

I currently keep mine in the stand of my fish tank because the sump in there keeps the temps stable and I have pretty good results. It's a 72 bow front so there is a good amount of room, but it's not as functional as a set up like yours would be.

Good luck!

nish07 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-22-2008, 01:54 AM

It works and it works very well. I only worry about not having sufficient ventilation and gas buildup causing problems. I just need to make sure it gets aired out. Not sure how often to do this yet but as long as I don't get any crashes I'll figure it out. BTW, humidity is reading at 70%+ from those few cultures and the spring culture on the bottom. Keeping humidity up was a main concern for me as it's very dry in my house.

-Nish

Richard · #4 (**permalink**) 10-27-2008, 05:38 PM

I am interested in this concept. However, I was wondering if you could use a cooler with some modifications to make this work. What are your thoughts.

gary1218 · #5 (**permalink**) 10-27-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

I am interested in this concept. However, I was wondering if you could use a cooler with some modifications to make this work. What are your thoughts.

That's what I do. I have a light bulb hooked up to a temp gauge/monitor to cycle it on & off as needed. Been working out just great.

nish07 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-27-2008, 06:54 PM

If I were going to use a cooler, I'd probably grab one of the heat mats from Josh or something and stick it to the top of the cooler as it would be more even heating and they're designed to not go over 100 degrees (safety). I was rather worried about my fridge getting too hot but the bulb is connected to the metal plate that was on the back of the fridge and it won't be touching anything with glass above and below it.

-Nish

gary1218 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-27-2008, 07:04 PM

I don't think even heating throughout the cooler is that big a deal. It's a small enough container that the temp is the same throughout.

nish07 · #8 (**permalink**) 10-27-2008, 07:14 PM

I'd only worry about the temp controller malfunctioning in which case that bulb would melt through the plastic very quickly and possibly cause a fire. The heat pad will never go over 100 degrees. Though it may continue to give out heat with no place to dissipate (cooler being perfectly sealed and adiabatic) it still shouldn't melt anything if it's staying 100 degrees and only warm to the touch. Feel free to prove me wrong as I just got out of work and I'm tired.

I've seen a light bulb catch a tshirt on fire that was hung over the lamp shade (a good 4 inches from the bulb). Anyone knows how hot a bulb can get if you try to touch it.

-Nish

gary1218 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-27-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nish07

Feel free to prove me wrong as I just got out of work and I'm tired.

I've seen a light bulb catch a tshirt on fire that was hung over the lamp shade (a good 4 inches from the bulb). Anyone knows how hot a bulb can get if you try to touch it.

-Nish

NOPE, I'm not going try and prove you wrong. That's a good point. In fact I may just do that and leave the bulb on for an extended period and see how hot it gets. Not in the house though

FrogOly · #10 (**permalink**) 10-27-2008, 08:05 PM

I agree about the danger of the light bulb. Getting a 12"- 15" piece of 11" wide heat tape is much safer, but make sure not to use the 3" wide heat tape. That will start a fire if the controller fails. An infrared temp gun is a good investment to check temps, not only in your incubator, but also to check temps in various spots in your vivarium. Flexwatt is the brand name of the heat tape commonly used by herp breeders.