Thermostat questions.

[huskie bear]

I'm sure these questions pop up quite frequently, but here they are.
I'm getting an Animal plastics model T10 with flex-watt+ misc. other additions
with said cage, and I'm in the market for a thermostat, more specifically a spyder robotics Herpstat. What model of the herpstat would be acceptable for the aforementioned enclosure? would I need to wire the flex-watt myself? Should I even get a thermostat at all ?

I'm very open to advice & opinions

[The Serpent Merchant]

A thermostat is 100% necessary. I have that exact same set up and without a thermostat the floor of the cage will hit 107 degrees easy.

If you only have 1 cage the Herpstat 1 will be perfect.

[The Serpent Merchant]

The flexwatt from AP comes completely wired and ready to go. You do have to assemble the cage itself though (which is super easy)

[huskie bear]

Do you think I'll need a radiant heat panel also?

[The Serpent Merchant]

That depends. How cold does the room the cage will be in get? If it gets and stays under 68 for any extended period then a radiant heat panel will be necessary.

If you need a heat panel then you will need to get a Herpstat 2 instead of the Herpstat 1

[huskie bear]

in the cold winter months it hits high 50's low 60's at night.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Then a heat panel will be necessary.

This heat panel will work great:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/40-watt-radiant-heat-panel

The lower height of the T8 will also help (cheaper and will ship much faster as well)

And finally as I said the Herpstat 2 will be necessary.

You will want the heat panel to be mounted centered on the ceiling (if you have the panel shipped to AP they will mount/drill a hole for the power cord for you)

The heat panel will be set to 80 degrees, and the flexwatt will create the basking spot of 90 degrees.

[Brent]

Would the second probe of the Herpstat 2 be mounted to the floor centered in the cage then?

[The Serpent Merchant]

That is one way to do it.

You could also attach the probe to the surface of the heat panel or suspend the probe under the heat panel with something link this:

(computer model I made, the real thing would be made of 1/2" PVC pipe and fittings)

[Vypyrz]

Another way that you could do it is, when you install the heat panel, you are either going to have to run the power cord through the vent slots if possible, or drill a hole in the top of the back panel. If you drill a 3/8" or 7/16" hole, the power cord and probe should fit through. Then, run the thermostat probe about 2/3 the way down the wall under the heat panel. You can let it hang there, or secure it to the wall.