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How to Make an Incubator Out of Plexiglass

There are a number of ways to set about making a homemade incubator. Incubators are often made from materials such as foam coolers or plywood boxes. Another option is to use Plexiglass. Since Plexiglass is clear, you can watch the whole hatching process. Plexiglass still retains plenty of the moisture and heat that is needed for this delicate process. In addition to the Plexiglass panels, you will need some supplies commonly found at pet and hardware stores.

Things You'll Need

6 Plexiglass panels; 1/4 inch
Acrylic cement
Drill
Circular saw
Aquarium heater
Digital thermometer/humidity gauge
Two clay bricks
Plastic food storage container with lid
Vermiculite

Instructions

Making the Box
- 1
  Cut your bottom panel. For this example, the incubator measures 14-by-14-by-14 inches, so your bottom piece should measure 14-by-14 inches. You can either purchase a panel in this size or cut it yourself with a circular saw.
- 2
  Cut your outer side pieces. The outer side pieces rest on your bottom panel and run its entire length. Adjust your panels' height measurements to allow for the width of the bottom piece. As a result, the measurement of your outer side pieces is 14-by-13 3/4 inches.
- 3
  Cut your inner side pieces. Your inner side pieces rest on the bottom panel and in between the two outer pieces. Allow for the thickness of the outer panels by subtracting half an inch from the length of the inner panels. As with the outer pieces, adjust the height of the inner panels. Your final measurement for the inner pieces is 13 1/2-by-13 3/4.
- 4
  Cut a larger piece of Plexiglass for your lid. This piece should measure approximately 15-by-15 so that it is big enough to fit over the sides of your box with a slight overlap. The overlap makes it easier for you to remove it. Drill several air holes in the lid, making one hole in a corner to run your heater's wire through.
- 5
  Glue all side panels and the bottom piece together with acrylic cement. Acrylic cement is a thin solvent that actually welds the Plexiglass joints together. Apply the cement into the joints between the panels in a continuous stream of glue, starting with the side panels. Once assembled, set the sides onto the bottom panel and cement them together. Let the cement cure over night.
Prepare the Box
- 6
  Fill the incubator with one to two inches of water to create a humid environment. Place bricks in the water to act as a platform for the egg box.
- 7
  Poke holes in the bottom of a plastic food storage container for drainage. Fill it with two or three inches of moistened vermiculite and create impressions for eggs with your finger. Place the thermometer/humidity gauge inside. Then tape the lid on the box at an angle so that condensation will run off the lid and away from the eggs. Place the egg box on the bricks.
- 8
  Submerge the heater in the water after setting it to the desired level. If it has a suction cup, stick it to the bottom of your wall. Run the power cord through the hole in the corner of your lid and plug it in.
- 9
  Place the lid on the box. The lid helps to hold the heat and humidity at a steady level.

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