Strong smell in incubator

[BarelyBreathing]

So, I set up my incubator yesterday and now there is a really strong smell inside. It's got a styrofoam shell but from everything I've searched on Google my heat source isn't hot enough to melt or burn the foam. It's kind of a plasticy smell mixed with water (if you've ever smelled overwhelming humidity before). I SUCK AT INCUBATION!!! HELP!

[geckodog]

I am sorry, but I don't know alot about breeding snakes, what kind of snake are you planning to breed

[SpOoKy]

Is there anything else in there that could be getting too hot? Thermostat/probe, the inside of the handle? Could anything in there have packing oils on the plastic or did you make it your self?

Sorry I don't have any other ideas

[BarelyBreathing]

I am sorry, but I don't know alot about breeding snakes, what kind of snake are you planning to breed

I have leopard gecko eggs cooking right now, but that isn't relavent information when it comes to the problem at hand.

Is there anything else in there that could be getting too hot? Thermostat/probe, the inside of the handle? Could anything in there have packing oils on the plastic or did you make it your self?

Sorry I don't have any other ideas

Possibly the tape. It's electrical tape, though. The shell for the incubator was used to cool vaccinations, but they were all thoroughly packed and I am positive that there was no spillage.

[GarterPython]

Is it to humid?

[SpOoKy]

Possibly the tape. It's electrical tape, though. The shell for the incubator was used to cool vaccinations, but they were all thoroughly packed and I am positive that there was no spillage.

I don't think it would be that...I am out of idea's, sorry :(

[BarelyBreathing]

Humidity is set at a steady 70%. I think it is the electrical tape, honestly. We opened it again and the smell wasn't as bad as it was the first time. Hubby stuck his nose right up to the tape and the heat source and that's where he said the smell was coming from. We double checked the temperature of the heat source with a second temp gun (the heat source itself reads 122, which is about 120 degrees too cool to effect the styrofoam, according to my earlier research), so I'm sure it's the tape.

[SpOoKy]

Oh well if it is that warm around the tape then it makes sense.

[BarelyBreathing]

I was seriously freaking out. I'm slightly less worried now.

[Trollbie]

All I have to say is good luck BB and if they hatch, I want them both :D

[SpOoKy]

I would just keep an eye on it. Don't check it too often though because you may get used to the smell and think it is going away. Also probably not a smell you want to be smelling to often wither lol. Hopefully it clears up for you.

[BarelyBreathing]

All I have to say is good luck BB and if they hatch, I want them both :D

The two that I have now will not be for sale. I have thirteen females breeding this season, though. A few are already on reserve (if I ever get this stupid incubation thing down).

I would just keep an eye on it. Don't check it too often though because you may get used to the smell and think it is going away. Also probably not a smell you want to be smelling to often wither lol. Hopefully it clears up for you.

Now that it seems to be going away, I will check on the smell when I check on the eggs (morning and evening). I'm trying not to be obsessive about this.

[Trollbie]

Fine then! :(

[BarelyBreathing]

I hope to have MANY more clutches on the way. You can have your pick first after the people who actually requested I do this breeding in the first place.

[Trollbie]

I hope to have MANY more clutches on the way. You can have your pick first after the people who actually requested I do this breeding in the first place.

I'll gladly wait :) The longer I wait the more ready I'll be. And maybe I'll come get him personally :p

[BarelyBreathing]

That'd be awesome! Do you have any morph preferences? Here's what I'm planning for:

Bell hybinos, normals het for diablo blanco and everything up to it, blazing blizzards het diablo blanco, blizzards het diablo blanco, eclipses, normals het stripe, hypos het Tremper, snow enigmas, super snows het Tremper, super snow enigmas het Tremper, green snowglows het Tremper, SHTCT het Bell sunglow, snows het blizzard, snows het Tremper, Designers het Tremper, designer snows het tremper, hypo snow, hypo snow het Tremper, snow reverse stripe het Tremper, patternless snows het Tremper. I think that's it.

[Trollbie]

That'd be awesome! Do you have any morph preferences? Here's what I'm planning for:

Bell hybinos, normals het for diablo blanco and everything up to it, blazing blizzards het diablo blanco, blizzards het diablo blanco, eclipses, normals het stripe, hypos het Tremper, snow enigmas, super snows het Tremper, super snow enigmas het Tremper, green snowglows het Tremper, SHTCT het Bell sunglow, snows het blizzard, snows het Tremper, Designers het Tremper, designer snows het tremper, hypo snow, hypo snow het Tremper, snow reverse stripe het Tremper, patternless snows het Tremper. I think that's it.

Ummm... what? I know nothing about geckos other than what I've learned from you in the last couple days :confused:

[BarelyBreathing]

All I have to say is: Leopard Gecko Wiki (http://www.leopardgeckowiki.com)

Check out the morph section! I'll start a picture of them (most won't be my pictures, though) in another thread if you're that interested.

[Trollbie]

All I have to say is: Leopard Gecko Wiki (http://www.leopardgeckowiki.com)

Check out the morph section! I'll start a picture of them (most won't be my pictures, though) in another thread if you're that interested.

That would be awesome! It's better if I can see them all in one place so I can compare

[GarterPython]

Trollbie you don't have to get a baby from her! We are all living there! Remember! Daaaaaaaaa!

[millertime89]

electrical tape smells terrible unti its gotten a few heat cycles into it. Whenever I pop my hood after finishing some electrical work I always get a nice whiff for a day or two.

[BarelyBreathing]

electrical tape smells terrible unti its gotten a few heat cycles into it. Whenever I pop my hood after finishing some electrical work I always get a nice whiff for a day or two.


THANK YOU! Oh my gosh, thank you. I thought I was going insane. Is it safe, though?

[millertime89]

That I don't know. I don't think its harmful. They make aluminum foil tape for stuff like this though. You can find it at most any home improvement store. When I build my incubator the heat tape will be secured with this stuff. I actually need to pick some up to secure the heat tape for my rack as well.

Nashua Premium Foil Tapes - 322-3-foil 3" x50 yds aluminum foil tape | Wayfair (http://www.wayfair.com/Nashua-Premium-Foil-Tapes-322-3-foil-3-x50-yds-aluminum-foil-tape-617020-OLB1153.html?refid=GPA49-OLB1153&gclid=COW4wtWIp68CFQ7sKgodd07WbQ)

and remember, underhood temps are astronomical compared to what your incubator is seeing, I'm a little surprised you're getting the smell honestly. I suppose with the lack of airflow though it builds up.

[BarelyBreathing]

That I don't know. I don't think its harmful. They make aluminum foil tape for stuff like this though. You can find it at most any home improvement store. When I build my incubator the heat tape will be secured with this stuff. I actually need to pick some up to secure the heat tape for my rack as well.

Nashua Premium Foil Tapes - 322-3-foil 3" x50 yds aluminum foil tape | Wayfair (http://www.wayfair.com/Nashua-Premium-Foil-Tapes-322-3-foil-3-x50-yds-aluminum-foil-tape-617020-OLB1153.html?refid=GPA49-OLB1153&gclid=COW4wtWIp68CFQ7sKgodd07WbQ)

and remember, underhood temps are astronomical compared to what your incubator is seeing, I'm a little surprised you're getting the smell honestly. I suppose with the lack of airflow though it builds up.

Thanks for the tip. I will pick some up when I get lumber. I imagine that's why it smelled. It was left overnight and when I opened it, it just hit me in the face.

[SpOoKy]

I wonder if the aluminum tape is safe though? Is it taping any wires? could it be conductive in any way?

I don't think the melting tape would be of any harm to your eggs, they are in a shell. As for you it is probably not a smell you want to be inhaling a lot of but I don't see it being much worse than the everyday toxins in out air each day ( just a little more condensed and stinky)

has the smell gone away yet or at least gotten less pungent?

[BarelyBreathing]

The wires are coated in plastic. Nothing is exposed. The smell is weakening, yes. Thanks for asking.

[millertime89]

I wonder if the aluminum tape is safe though? Is it taping any wires? could it be conductive in any way?

I don't think the melting tape would be of any harm to your eggs, they are in a shell. As for you it is probably not a smell you want to be inhaling a lot of but I don't see it being much worse than the everyday toxins in out air each day ( just a little more condensed and stinky)

has the smell gone away yet or at least gotten less pungent?

I would be more worried about the fumes being absorbed into the permeable eggs.
The aluminum is safe as long as its not being used to insulate wires, which it sounds like BB isn't doing. I'll admit I cut corners in my own wiring at times and use electrical tape and butt connectors. When doing wiring solder and heat shrink is what should be used at all times to cover an exposed wiring or connections in things like thermostats, important vehicle wiring, and anything that will be exposed to significant amounts of heat.
That's my opinion, but hey, what do I know? I'm only building a race car (STUPID EXPENSIVE hobby btw).

[BarelyBreathing]

There are no exposed wires, the tape is only being used to add extra support to my heat source (it's mounted on the side).

This morning, the smell is completely gone. I'm not worried about it anymore. Thanks for everything, guys.

[millertime89]

we need a thumbs up icon and to remove the 10 character post limit so I can just post things like this.
http://caribflyer.com/carib/wp-content/uploads/thumbs-up.png

[BarelyBreathing]

Thanks, Kyle.

[SpOoKy]

*copy and paste Kyle's post :)

[millertime89]

*copy and paste Kyle's post :)

THAT'S CHEATING!
I think?

[millertime89]

Wish we could get rid of he 30 second rule. I type 90 wpm, stupid forum settings slowing down my awesomeness.

[Trollbie]

I would be more worried about the fumes being absorbed into the permeable eggs.
The aluminum is safe as long as its not being used to insulate wires, which it sounds like BB isn't doing. I'll admit I cut corners in my own wiring at times and use electrical tape and butt connectors. When doing wiring solder and heat shrink is what should be used at all times to cover an exposed wiring or connections in things like thermostats, important vehicle wiring, and anything that will be exposed to significant amounts of heat.
That's my opinion, but hey, what do I know? I'm only building a race car (STUPID EXPENSIVE hobby btw).

butt connectors and electrical tape FTW! That's how I handle electronics in my car and nothing blew up yet! And it's fun!!!

[SpOoKy]

THAT'S CHEATING!
I think?

I just wanted the pic and I am not nearly cool enough to know how to put it in my post :)

Wish we could get rid of he 30 second rule. I type 90 wpm, stupid forum settings slowing down my awesomeness.

I agree it`s annoying sometimes but think about how many time you will open a thread tthinking you are going to real insitful posts and all you get it

yup
gottch
uh huh!
got it
yes
no...

and so on :)

[millertime89]

butt connectors and electrical tape FTW! That's how I handle electronics in my car and nothing blew up yet! And it's fun!!!

stereo? fine. lights? fine. pwoer windows? fine, alarm? fine. ground? not good. Fuel injectors, crank angle sensor, MAF, MAP? BAAAAAAAAD!

I do like watching bad connections spark when I screwed up the connections. Tracing said bad connections SUCKS!

[BarelyBreathing]

Speaking of bad connections, I have horrible luck with power cords. Every one I've ever owned has broken in an unreasonable amount of time. I was at a hotel one night for a horse show and my power cord for my lap top broke. I was trying to hold it together to get my computer to charge by pinning it touching with a potato chips bag clip. Well let's just say I set my bed on fire.