incubator is set up - Page 2

smeagel · 03-29-05, 07:51 AM

Are Helix probes submersible? Where is the optimale placing for the probe if there is any. I have been told by a couple people (not on this forum though) that they put their Helix probes in the water. But it doesn't sound right to me to be monitoring the water temp instead of the air temp.

mykee · 03-29-05, 09:49 AM

If the eggs will be sitting in the water (???) then you shoudl put the probe in the water (yes, they are submersible).

Now assuming you have an incubator that is very similar to Jeff's, a big insulated box with water and bricks, I would place the probe in the incubator, set it up dead center between your egg boxes so that you get the same air temperature that the eggs woudl be getting.

jglass38 · 03-29-05, 02:32 PM

Wow! Glad to see I am not the only nutcase here! I check that damn thermometer 50 times a day. I have 6 eggs incubating in rubbermaid with a glass top inside a coleman cooler. My temps never go below 88.7 and never above 90.8. In fact they only 88.7, 89.2, 89.8 and 90.8. Not much that can be done now though. This is my first year of breeding and its pretty damn exciting!

Jamie

smeagel · 03-29-05, 08:26 PM

What about a piece of plexi glass as the top of the rubbermaid. Will that loose heat as much as reg. glass? I want some way that I can see the eggs without haing to open the incubator, cause when I open it It looses a ton of heat. Going way below the absolute low temp for the eggs. I know i'm being annoying here with all these questions.

Jeff_Favelle · 03-29-05, 09:04 PM

What exactly are you expecting the eggs to do that you want to watch them so much? LOL! They are QUITE boring. Just white blobs that sit there for 2 months.

If you want something clear that retains heat, then go with thermal pane glass. Its 2 pieces of glass with a gas inside. Used for sliding glass doors.

mykee · 03-29-05, 09:49 PM

Used for windows too Jeff. Smeagel, you're worrying more than me, and I didn't think that was possible. Plexi has the same heat retention values as glass; crapola. Opening the incubator is a necessary evil, especially if you have your eggs in egg boxes, they'll need to be aerated every couple of weeks or so, as for the "absolute lowest temp" when you open the incubator, don't worry, the eggs themselves will retain the heat for much longer than you think. Don't worry about it.

smeagel · 03-29-05, 10:25 PM

I guess i'm just worried about the humidity not being high enough inside the egg box, but i'm probably just worrying way too much. Sorry for bothering you so much mykee and jeff. You've both been a huge help.

mykee · 03-30-05, 10:00 AM

If you see condensation on the inside walls of your egg boxes, your humidity is high enough.

"What I really need is someone to hold me and tell me that everything is going to be alright".
"Everything is going to be alright". - The Wedding Singer

JDouglas · 03-30-05, 11:39 AM

Actually condensation on the walls could cause problems and is not a good indicator of how high the humidity is in an egg chamber. If condensation is occurring at a rate that is equal to evaporation you will have a dry box with wet sides.

Also, condensation on the sides of the egg chamber can cause your substrate to dry out. As the water evaporates from the vermiculite it will run down the sides and back into the substrate around the edges. After awhile the vermiculite around the outside will be soaked and the center will dry out. If the eggs are in the center they will also dry out.

Condensation on the top can cause drips to form and fall onto the eggs.

If the temperature in your incubator is even you will not nave any condensation. Instead the air will become saturated to 100% humidity. If the walls of the egg chamber are cooler than the rest of the incubator condensation will form.

If you use a fan to circulate the air outside the egg chamber this will help even out temps. Also if you use the no substrate method you will avoid the problems from the substrate drying out but would still have to worry about drips.

jglass38 · 03-30-05, 11:42 AM

I was wondering why i see no condensation! I am using vermiculite for a substrate. I have the rubbermaid container for the eggs inside a coleman cooler.

smeagel · 03-30-05, 07:33 PM

My Helix and my digital thermometer have a difference in temp readings. My Helix says 89, and my other digital ( a cheap Walmart digital) says 87.3 Which one do I believe? They are side by side so they should be getting the same reading shouldn't they?

Jeff_Favelle · 03-30-05, 07:48 PM

I've always has condensation on the sides of my eggs boxes, the glass covering the egg boxes, the sides of my incubator, the lid of my incubator, etc etc etc.

peterm15 · 03-30-05, 09:40 PM

hey jeff just to clarify about thermal pane windows.. there is no gas in between unless you get it put in ( argon ) but even then it just adds more expence... its adds a little more of an R factor but not very much... basicly a 5/8 thick unit with argon will have the same insoulating power as a 1" thick unit...

smeagal and with all the condensation that would build up you wouldnt be able to see anyways...

JEFF p.s. im not trying to prove you rong or anything i just wouldnt want you or anyone else being ripped off by the numberous window guys out there.. if your house has argon windows then get them.. theres a slight colour difference... if they tell you you dont but there alot better its bull.... there just trying to get more money off ya...

Jeff_Favelle · 03-30-05, 11:09 PM

No worries Pete! I wouldn't use glass on ANYTHING that I wanted an R-value for anyways, LOL!

Cheers bro.

JDouglas · 03-31-05, 11:54 AM

Jeff with your set up condensation may not be an issue because your entire incubator is at high humidity and the condensation must be minor. I think it is more detrimental if using a dry incubator like mine. Most python eggs will hatch just fine with 70% humidity.

Here is a pic of my egg chamber in my incubator. As you can see their isn't any condensation except for on the front near the glass. Even with two fans circulating the air the glass still allows the temps to be a bit cooler causing condensation. Had I a put more space between the egg chamber and the glass I may not have had any condensation.

I would recommend going to the VPI Mailbag and reading what Dave and Tracy have to say about condensation. Their are several infomative entries. Just type condensation in the search box...
VPI Mail Bag Link