D.I.Y. incubator

Had some winter eggs this year, so I thought I'd give a run-down on how I set up my ghettobator©.

This is my cooler. Measurements 18" X 12" 14" deep. Under $10.00 most anywhere.

Then I go out and buy a couple disposable plastic tubs. Any will work, I just like these because they fit the inside lip of my cooler, so I don't need a rack to keep the containers above the water. $1.99 anywhere. Poke a couple small holes into the bottom to prevent water from pooling.

This is what I prefer to use as an incubation media. It's cactus/succulent potting soil. 100% organic and has great drainage while still holding in the moisture. Never had an issue with it.

Fill the bottom of the cooler with a couple inches of water, and buy a submersible aquarium heater(the most expensive part!) and set the heater to 83-84F. It's best to notch the side of the cooler where the heaters cord will exit, so you can still get a nice tight seal when you replace the coolers lid.

I put about 3" of moistened media into the egg containers, and use a finger to create impressions for the eggs to sit in. Just be sure that the media of your choice is only slightly wet...if you can grab a handful and squeeze water out of it...it's too moist.

The egg containers lid should be placed at an angle so that any condensation that will form can run off to one side, away from the eggs. Condensation will form on the cooler lid too and the egg container lid prevents the water from raining down onto the eggs.

When it's all in place, just place the cooler lid on and remember to check back every couple days at first to be sure that everythings working out the way it should. Depending on the temperature of your house, you may need to tweak the temp on the heater. My setup is in the basement where it's about 60F, I set the heater to 84F and it keeps the actual temp inside the cooler between 80-85F.

It's cheap and easy. Mine can hold around 40 eggs, so this is only a do it yourself thing for the average turtler.

It's brought 100+ turtles into this world...representing about 9 different species.

Just thought I'd share the method. Everybody has one that suits them best. This is mine.

Oh that's excellent...definitely bookmarking this one

Great post Tim, very helpful information (for when I find the mate for my painted!).

Ohhh my goodness....that was the cutest thing ever....love the babies...

I can testify that Tim's idea has brought in 15 spotteds as well. Cheap and easy to set up and use.

Nice!

adorable little guys too

Aint they just so tiny and cute!!! I will definitely remember that if I ever get 2 more Female Russians... The RES Im not breeding... Well Im sure they will but I will be throwing the eggs away!!!

Excellant!!! I was hoping to figure that out if the need arose. Love the term you dubbed it....Ghettobator

WOW

One question, does the water have to touch the plastic containers or not?

I use a wire shelf and it doesn't touch the water.

I had the same setup for my incubator and it worked just the same. Great pictures you got of it.

I will definitely remember that if I ever get 2 more Female Russians.

The Ghettobator© has not been tested on tortoises, it is primarily an aquatic cooker. Tortoise eggs like it a little on the drier side if I remember correctly.

Jason: You know I'm glad it worked for you...I knew it would!

Looks good. I'm going to set mine up soon. How do you hold the plastic boxes open?

One question, does the water have to touch the plastic containers or not?

Had some winter eggs this year, so I thought I'd give a run-down on how I set up my ghettobator©.

This is my cooler. Mesurements 18" X 12" 14" deep. Under $10.00 most anywhere.

Then I go out and buy a couple disposable plastic tubs. Any will work, I just like these because they fit the inside lip of my cooler, so I don't need a rack to keep the containers above the water. $1.99 anywhere. Poke a couple small holes into the bottom to prevent water from pooling.

This is what I prefer to use as an incubation media. It's cactus/succulent potting soil. 100% organic and has great drainage while still holding in the moisture. Never had an issue with it.

Fill the bottom of the cooler with a couple inches of water, and buy a submersible aquarium heater(the most expensive part!) and set the heater to 83-84F. It's best to notch the side of the cooler where the heaters cord will exit, so you can still get a nice tight seal when you replace the coolers lid.

I put about 3" of moistened media into the egg containers, and use a finger to create impressions for the eggs to sit in. Just be sure that the media of your choice is only slightly wet...if you can grab a handful and squeeze water out of it...it's too moist.

The egg containers lid should be placed at an angle so that any condensation that will form can run off to one side, away from the eggs. Condensation will form on the cooler lid too and the egg container lid prevents the water from raining down onto the eggs.

When it's all in place, just place the cooler lid on and remember to check back every couple days at first to be sure that everythings working out the way it should. Depending on the temperature of your house, you may need to tweak the temp on the heater. My setup is in the basement where it's about 60F, I set the heater to 84F and it keeps the actual temp inside the cooler between 80-85F.

It's cheap and easy. Mine can hold around only around 40 eggs, so this is only a do it yourself thing for the average turtler.

It's brought 100+ turtles into this world...representing about 9 different species.

Just thought I'd share the method. Everybody has one that suits them best. This is mine.

hi ,can use as india tortise eggs.is the temp the same ? Thank!

Hi,

It has not been used for tortoise incubation, only North American aquatic turtles and Box turtles. Tortoises require less humid incubation mediums, but I don't have the hands on experience personally to recommend what to use.

I have heard slightly damp vermiculite is the way to go. Keep the eggs on semi-damp sand in a container for now. Place a small dish of water in one corner to provide a bit of humidity and keep them in a warm area of the house(75-84F if possible) until you can research a more desireable incubation method, or until someone with more knowledge into tortoise incubation comes along.

Good luck!

Hi,

It has not been used for tortoise incubation, only North American aquatic turtles and Box turtles. Tortoises require less humid incubation mediums, but I don't have the hands on experience personally to recommend what to use.

I have heard slightly damp vermiculite is the way to go. Keep the eggs on semi-damp sand in a container for now. Place a small dish of water in one corner to provide a bit of humidity and keep them in a warm area of the house(75-84F if possible) until you can research a more desireable incubation method, or until someone with more knowledge into tortoise incubation comes along.

Good luck!

hi, thank!my india tortise just lay 2 eggs but dont know how to deal with it.i thought is incubator is a good one .so did u think can i try on this incubator or any one can help me ?

Thank!

w0w!!! s0 cute little ad0rable turtle!!!

Wow, i want to make an incubator just like this.

1 question..when you place the plastic container in dose the bottom touch the water??? or how far from it???

Hows this???

and dose the bottom of the plastic thouch the water or not????

One question, does the water have to touch the plastic containers or not?

I use a wire shelf and it doesn't touch the water.

Adds, according to Jason his doesn't touch the water. Just to help you out a little!

What is the stuff your using for media? It appears to be a bit too moist, but that can be a trick from the camera flash.

The container shouldn't touch the water, and I would suggest moving the egg a bit further from the sides. The condensation forming on the plastic can keep that area a bit too moist for most turtle eggs to be comfortable. Then again, if it's a RES...you probably have quite a few more eggs on the way. Good luck with 'em!

its just potting soil.....and i will move it for now..im not shure if she is gonna lay em or not....will she lay 1or 2 here and the next day more or will she make a nest and do em all at once

babies are adorable!! Thanks for the tips!