Heater and Thermostat problems

[Reakt20]

I had to purchase a new heat pad for under one of my snake's tubs. I was using the exo-terra small. I was getting a temp of around 103 without a thermostat, which I thought was fine. I have about 2 inches of reptibark on top of it and the ambient temp in the cage is 82 so I am happy with that. However, the chord ripped out of it from sliding the tub in and out of my make-shift rack, which isn't really a rack at all but a few coffee tables stacked up with covered tubs slid into them. Anyways, the pet shop I went to was out of this brand heater, so I had to go to pet smart and all they had was the Zoo Med Repti Therm for 10 - 20 gallon enclosures. I bought the Zoo Med ReptiTemp Rheostat as well, because I plan on eventually getting or building a rack system soon so I can expand my collection. Its a good thing I did, because this pad is much hotter. Without the thermostat, I was getting temps as high as 140 degrees!!! Even on the lowest setting, It still comes in at 112 degrees F!! What should I do? Buy a new heater? Change my thermostat? Has anybody had this problem before???

[Reakt20]

I've got a space heater pointed at one end of the enclosure right new because I don't want to use the heater and it seems to be keeping temps steady. Only problem is, the rest of my room is HOT!

[CatandDiallo]

Get a thermostat that actually works. A lot of the rheostats and what not sold in pet stores are pieces of junk (in my experience, and from hearing about it).

I have a Herpstat, and it keeps my temperatures right where I set it. It's a proportional thermostat. Mine is off 0.1 degrees F sometimes, but that's 0.1 F. I have it set to 93, and it keeps my temp on the warm side to 90 F.
http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat.html

Others will recommend the Hydrofarm thermostat or similar if you want a cheaper one.
It's an off/on thermostat, which isn't as reliable as a proportional, but from what I read on here many people use this one without any issues.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/HYDROFARM-MTP...ht_4660wt_1139

It's amazing how much of your anxiety and worrying will melt away when you get a high-quality, reliable thermostat!

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Ranco or Herpstat are the way to go cheap means you get what you paid for.

[Reakt20]

Get a thermostat that actually works. A lot of the rheostats and what not sold in pet stores are pieces of junk (in my experience, and from hearing about it).

I have a Herpstat, and it keeps my temperatures right where I set it. It's a proportional thermostat. Mine is off 0.1 degrees F sometimes, but that's 0.1 F. I have it set to 93, and it keeps my temp on the warm side to 90 F.
http://spyderrobotics.com/products/herpstat.html

Others will recommend the Hydrofarm thermostat or similar if you want a cheaper one.

It's an off/on thermostat, which isn't as reliable as a proportional, but from what I read on here many people use this one without any issues.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/HYDROFARM-MTP...ht_4660wt_1139

It's amazing how much of your anxiety and worrying will melt away when you get a high-quality, reliable thermostat!

That's what I figured. I was skeptical about buying this set up to begin with. It was more of a temporary solution. I'll have to get something worth its money today. Thanks.