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How to Make an Incubator for Microbiology

Microbiology is fascinating because it is the study of organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye. Unfortunately, bacteria and other single-celled organisms are difficult to see, even with a microscope, unless there are many of them grouped together in a colony. Adding an incubator to your home or classroom is an excellent way to grow colonies of microorganisms that you can study. This incubator design uses a glass aquarium to save time and money and to allow the incubator to be light or dark, depending on your needs.

10-gallon aquarium
Cake pan, 9 inches by 13 inches
Ceramic heating element
Duct tape
1/4-inch welded hardware cloth, measuring 24 inches by 12.5 inches
Wire snips
Sheet of clear acrylic, such as Plexiglas, 1/16-inch-thick, measuring 25 inches by 13 inches
Utility scissors

Instructions

Instructions
- 1
  Place the cake pan in the bottom of the glass aquarium. Adjust it so that it does not touch the sides.
- 2
  Place the ceramic heating element in the middle of the cake pan. Use duct tape to secure the cord along the bottom of the pan and up the side of the aquarium. Consider the location of the nearest electrical outlet before taping the cord.
- 3
  Place the welded hardware cloth over the cake pan and ceramic heater. Use the wire snips to trim any tight edges. Make sure that the wire does not pinch the ceramic heater's wire. This is the floor of your incubator and it should be stable. Use duct tape along the edges to make it secure, if needed.
- 4
  Place the clear acrylic sheet over the top of the aquarium. It should hang slightly over the edges.
- 5
  Trim a notch in the clear acrylic sheet to allow room for the ceramic heater's cord. The acrylic sheet can be allowed to rest freely on top of the aquarium or it can be held in place by duct tape.

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