Hydrofarm Thermostat Help!!

[jhotch]

Hey everybody,

I have been lurking on this site for quite some time and am getting ready to get a BP. I am in the process of setting my tub up before she arrives. I recently got a Hydrofarm thermostat, My question is that I have it set for 105 trying to get the hot spot up to 90 but it wont ever reach the temp I have it set to? The thermostat just sits at 101! It is driving me nuts! Any Help would be appreciated

[ScubaSteve]

What type of heat tape do you have?

[jhotch]

4" flex watt

[Willie76]

What substrate are you using and what surface temps are you getting at the hot spot? I haven't had any issues with the hydrofarm t-stat in the past. I am currently using Herpstat-1s in my enclosures. May be a defective unit...they do have a 2-year warranty but may also want to just flip for the Herpstat (~$140) from Spyder Robotics: http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/

[Grave334]

When I first got mine I set the temp at 90 ( I have a zoo med UTH) It stayed at about 130 for about 30 mins, it might take some time maybe if you leave it set. You're trying to get the hot spot to 90 but you have it set for 105? Why not lower the temp you have it set to, to about 92-94? I usually have mine set to about 92 and the hot spot sits to around 88-90. What kind of substrate are you using?

[jhotch]

When I first got mine I set the temp at 90 ( I have a zoo med UTH) It stayed at about 130 for about 30 mins, it might take some time maybe if you leave it set. You're trying to get the hot spot to 90 but you have it set for 105? Why not lower the temp you have it set to, to about 92-94? I usually have mine set to about 92 and the hot spot sits to around 88-90. What kind of substrate are you using?

I have it set at 105 because currently the hotspot is 89. If I lower it it won't be hot enough, I'm using paper towels as substrate

[Grave334]

Hm, seems kind of weird I use paper towels as well and I haven't had any issues yet with my hydrofarm, usually stays at a solid number close to the temperature I want it at...could be it's a faulty one? Not too sure on it :/

[satomi325]

I wouldn't worry about it. I have to set my thermostats (herpstat and ranco) to 98 to achieve a 90 hot spot.

What is your room temp? And what is the temp of your heat tape? (Not hotspot)



How are you securing your probe? If you have tape on it, then it can trap heat and read inaccurately.



Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[jhotch]

I wouldn't worry about it. I have to set my thermostats (herpstat and ranco) to 98 to achieve a 90 hot spot.

What is your room temp? And what is the temp of your heat tape? (Not hotspot)



How are you securing your probe? If you have tape on it, then it can trap heat and read inaccurately.



Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

My room temp is a little low it's at 73 I taped my probe down with foil tape. It's all crazy with the no contact thermometer I'm reading directly off the flex watt 100 on each end and 108 in the middle! Yet my surface temp in my tub is still at 88

[Willie76]

Yes, it does take a little while for it to get into sync. This isn't a five minute process. What type of enclosure (glass, tub, etc)? Where is the heat tape (taped to the bottom of the enclosure, running along the back of the enclosure in a rack)? Where is the t-stat probe (sandwiched between heat tape and bottom of tub-if taped, taped directly on top of a back-run of the heat tape)? If you're using papertowels there should be less of a difference. I was using 1/2" Cypress and I did have to crank mine up a bit to get a decent hot spot. I never really fret about a single degree up or down...better than running the UTH at 130 wide open!

Normally shouldn't have to work that hard though. I would maybe get another in then send that one in for warranty replacement and you'll have a spare if one craps out. I would highly recommend getting a proportional t-stat eventually vs the on/off action of the hydrofarm.