Tank Heating Problems

[xfactor831]

Hello
i just recently purchased a zoomed UTH a zilla therm/hygrometer combo and eco carpet and a zoo med rheostat for mine and my gfs 10 gallon. the problem is even on the lowest settings on the rheostat the temp is well over 100 degrees Both UTHs are hooked up to the rheostat. It's also weird cause the difference between the 2 tanks is about 7-9 degrees and they are both set up the same way. the way i have the probes set up is heating pad then probe then its the tank. i don't get what the problem is any ideas or suggestions?

There is no snakes in them right now were waiting till the tanks are set up properly before we put them in thanks

[ShaolinShadowBoxer]

my suggestion switch to aspen, and if posible a proportional therostat like a helix, or something like that much more percise, but jst my opinion i used to have the thermo use use now and honestly i jst hated it. o hope you get it all straight tho, good luck my dude

[steveboos]

THANK YOU!!!!! For once someone comes on here with heating problems and DIDN'T put the snake in it yet. Most people come on here asking for advice with heating and the poor snake is in the cage burning up.

If i were you, i would return that rheostat and pick up a Ranco Thermostat either wired for around $80 or un-wired for about $50. I have the same issue with my Zoo Med rheostat, it's on the lowest setting and still gets the pad up to 112 degrees. So i just stick the appropriate amount of air space between the tank and UTH to get the right temperature.

Rheostats vary so much in temperature, it's impossible to get them to be accurate for any period of time. Also if you have 2 snakes and 2 tanks to control, it would be worth the extra money. Plus those Zoo Med Rheostats are like $22 at petsmart, so i would spend the extra and get a good Ranco or Johnson Thermostat.

[xfactor831]

THANK YOU!!!!! For once someone comes on here with heating problems and DIDN'T put the snake in it yet. Most people come on here asking for advice with heating and the poor snake is in the cage burning up.

haha ya i figured some people would like that.

http://www.amazon.com/RANCO-ETC-1110...6941226&sr=8-1

is that what you were talking about? is it possible to control both tanks with those? were kinda tight on money right now since she just bought a new fish tank and junk

thanks for the replies

[steveboos]

Yep that is the one, except this one is cheaper

http://cgi.ebay.com/RANCO-ETC-111000...item1c13831b53

Keep in mind you will need to buy an extension cord and a power strip to wire it up. You can put a 6 outlet power strip on it and control up to 6 different tanks if they are all the same setup. It will cost about $65 total to get the whole thermostat set up, or you can buy one pre-wired for $80 shipped from some people on Fauna ( i can get you a link if necessary).

If money is tight, i understand, but honestly it will be the best investment you made overall the other stuff.

[xfactor831]

ah ok ill have to order it tomorrow. Thanks for the help

[steveboos]

No Thank You, you have no idea how often i see people try and keep numerous snakes with just dimmer switches. It just gets too difficult to have any consistency and especially when the room temperature chances, then your really in trouble.

Spending the extra money now will help you down the road. And then just keep dimmer switches for when you need to set up a quick quarantine tank for your collection, then when ready, just plug on in to the Ranco and viola, another cage!

[AkHerps]

My dimmer switch for my ball python works pretty good. I have to fiddle with it a couple times a day, but it does work. But mine is a lamp dimmer. If it's all the way off, my heat pad is pretty much off. If it's all the way up, it's 120+. If I get it in the middle towards the top justtt right, its 93 But I am getting two ranco's soon...one off of ebay, and on off of this forum, because fiddling with the dimmer switch is annoying.

They work, but it's annoying.

[yeroc1982]

Buy a quality thermostat. I have zilla 1000 and it's all over the place, wish I never bought it. Few weeks ago I got a Herpstat, best thing ever. Temps are consistent and now don't have to worry about if my tank is too hot or too cold.