Hovabator Question

[KatieL]

Hey everyone,

Jeff is getting me my incubator for Christmas, and we are currently debating between the two different models of Hovabators: Thermal Air, and TurboFan. Has anyone used the turbofan model and found that it is significantly better? Or used the regular thermal-air model and found it lacking?

If the turbofan model is much better then I'd definitely pick that one, but if it doesn't really make much difference then I'd like to know that before we invested the extra money. Its just hard to tell for us, never having used either, if the diffence is worthwhile. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for your help everyone!


P.S. I've been a good girl and did the search on here before I posted this. I learned lots of neat stuff about incubators, but nothing on the difference between these two models.

 

[manog]

I have not used either but i have heard that the thermal air is a better choice for reptiles. Again that is just what i have been told and i have no experience with them.

 

[KatieL]

Okay, that would be very convenient, since that is the less expensive model (and there is a special at LLL reptiles where it comes with vermiculite and deli-cups, woohoo!). I hope you are right. Thanks for the input.

I'm still open to suggestions though since I still have a few days before Jeff plans to order. Has anyone used either model?

 

[Tegucentric]

Incubators with forced air fans are much harder to reliably hold a temperature and to keep the humidity maintained at the correct level.

Rick

 

[Joni Garcia]

That'll be a fun Christmas present! The main problem with the TurboFan is it dries out the incubating medium really fast. I believe that's why many people recommend the Thermal model for reptiles. Let us know what you get, and we'll be looking forward to hatchling pictures next year!

 

[manog]

LLL Reptile is in my town. They are the ones who said the thermal air flow was better for the reptiles. They are a great shop and i highly reccomend them.

 

[KatieL]

Alright guys, Thermal Air it is! Thanks so much for all your help!

And red_mamma, unfortunately my corns are all still too small for breeding this year. However, things may be looking good for breeding our new pueblan in the next few months (if she is indeed female). And an incubator is always a handy thing to have around anyway...especially for all my critters at the nature center. I just might be tempted to post pics of the baby pueblans anyway though, since the will be my first snakie clutch. If I have any hatchlings I am sure you all will be the first to know it!

Again, thanks for all your help everyone!

 

[SerpentMama]

Hope this isn't what you guys think of as a "dumb question" but how many eggs will the Hovabators hold?
Thanks,
SerpentMama

 

[KatieL]

That is a good question actually, and one I do not know the answer to either. But it's 18 inches x 18 inches x 7.5 inches, so I would guess a fair number of them...?

 

[paulh]

I put a clutch of eggs in an open shoebox of Vermiculite and put the shoebox inside a sweater box, which prevents the humidity from escaping. My sweater boxes are 16x12x6 inches. If the Hovabator is 18x18x7.5 inches outside dimensions, then it is too small for me to use. YMMV.

 

[gardenmum]

I just saw this thread and thought I'd add my two cents. I, personally, have the turbo fan hovabator and I love it. I have never had any problems maintaining an 82 degree environment in it.

You don't need humidity IN the incubator unless you are going to incubate your eggs in open containers in there, which I would highly recommend that you do not do. You will not be able to maintain enough moisture in the incubator to keep them from getting too dry.

Here is a picture of the containers of eggs I set up in my incubator. Depending on the amount of eggs laid and if they are all attached will depend on the size/depth of the container you may choose to use. I use perlite for my medium but I know a lot of people who use vermiculite, either works well. Soak your medium in warm water and drain off some of the excess so your eggs are not setting in water logged medium. I bury the eggs part way into the medium, cover the container and put into the incubator. NO holes are put into the container. If the medium is properly moistened you will not have to add moisture at all during the incubation time.

I check on my eggs once a week to make sure the moisture is still fine and also in case any eggs go bad so I can remove them as I don't want a mold problem.

This past summer I took some styrofoam I had at the house and made a 4" high extension and placed the top lid on that. So now I have an incubator that is more than twice as deep as it was so I could stack containers in there and it worked excellently. I had no problems with the eggs incubating. I don't have a picture of that but I should take one.

Anyway, this is ONE way in which it can be done, I am sure others with incubators use other methods that work well also. Hope it helps you out some.

 

[KatieL]

Wow, thanks Dianne!

That was a very helpful and informative post. Thanks for adding the picture too, it really puts things in perspective actually being able to see eggs inside the incubator (I have yet to see the incubator in real-life...although a very suspicious looking box arrived in the mail the other day!). I'll definitely be referring back to your post when incubation time arrives. Thanks so much!

Katie