So I tried a 60 red bulb and was waaay to hot. I tried a 40w red bulb it was just over the temp needed. I tried a 25w normal bulb and it was only a small bit too low. I wondered if a 25w red bulb would be better but I want to get eggs in asap so I have invested in a reptile thermostat which will switch the bulb on and off when it reaches the correct temp. This I felt was the best option for the polybox incubator. I will use the 40w bulb with it.
So for others wanting to make their own incubator:
*Polystrene box with lid - fish transport box usually
*Clear plastic sheet - lid window for checking the chickies/eggs A takeaway box lid will do for this.
*Light bulb holder all connected ready to be plugged in (ebay -
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321096779649?var=510108471170&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 ) this will be positioned on the inside wall of the poly box by cutting a hole and taped in place. Simples
* thermometer and hydrometer - usually something that'll do both. again ebay (
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-LCD-Thermometer-Hygrometer-Reptile-Incubator-Vivarium-1-5m-Long-Probe-/390575975245?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item5af0246b4d ) placed inside the box.
* pot or dish and a sponge. Yoghurt pot or similar will do and a sponge in it with water. This keeps the humidity and you add or remove as the thermo/hydro tells you. placed in the box too.
* A reptile thermostat. You will want the product which caters to a higher temp as I noticed most reptile thermostats only go up to 32C. The actual product is a Habistat Hi-range Dimming Thermostat. This can be ordered in most reptile websites, ebay or in my case Amazon.
I will get pics taken and uploaded.
I would say a poly box incubator is still the cheaper option because the other bits can be brought very cheaply. Poly boxes are usually free from a fish shop. Peep lid is a takeaway box lid (clear type) Buy a takeaway and you have a meal and a peep hole. Light bulb holder can be picked up in most diy stores very cheaply or use a desk lamp if its suitable. Bulbs are easy to get ideally a red one in 40w. The thermometer/hydrometer has to be purchased online from reptile shop or anywhere online. E-bay has very cheap ones. Pot and sponge... no explanation needed. The thermostat (as above).
Using these items you can make as small or as large a incubator as you want, so it will be the cheaper option. You will find it hard to find an incubator for less than £50 that can hold 20 eggs.
Spending so far:
Poly box - free
Plastic peep lid - free (after the curry
)
Bulb holder - free if you have a suitable lamp already, if not £2.00 at macsalvors. look for the already wired one.
Red bulb 40w - £0.63p macsalvors
digital thermo/hydro - £2.99 on ebay
Pot - free could use the pot section of the takeaway box.
sponge - supermarket sponge are like £1.00 for 6
Thermostat - £39.82 this is the most expensive part. you could have a incubator box as big as a rabbit hutch and with adequate bulbs will maintain the heat for that size box so its worth its money!!
total spend - £44.44p
You won't find one for that amount
I will update on what hatches to see if it actually works