UTH Control

[NimbusPrime]

So I've been looking into changing my BP's and blood's caging from a 40g glass terrarium to a 52x20x14 plastic tub. My question is how would you recommend controlling the UTH. For the tanks I have currently, all glass terrariums and all with zoomed sticky UTH, I control my temps with a lamp dimmer. Kind of low tech and low cost. When I set all these tanks up, I was pretty tight on cash and I just never upgraded. So, manually and using probe thermometers and a temp gun, I adjust the temps as needed. I check my temps constantly and adjust as needed. They do vary about 4 degrees above or below where I like, so I just manually adjust them. Again, not the best method in the world, but its worked well for me. Also, the last thermostat I had malfunctioned and cracked one of my glass tanks. I guess I've been pretty turned off since then.
Now, when using something like a Ultratherm Heat Pad, would this method work? Obviously it would be easier to get a thermostat, but I just wanted to see if I could salvage my current setup and transfer it until I can upgrade to a more controlled and automated system.

[Mr. Misha]

You answered your own question. Thermostat is the only way to go especially if you want to automate things.

What brand of thermostat malfunctioned on you? I'd recommend Herpstat brand just because I have experience with them and they're been proven in thr reptile communit over the years to be very reliable. There's also other proportional thermostats out there that are great as well. One of them being VE Electronics.

[PitOnTheProwl]

This is really the only option.
Proper husbandry is always the key.

[Mr. Misha]

Im loving that diagram Pit. Well done sir.

[kitedemon]

Everything can fail, plan for the worst and hope for the best. I would start with replacing the UTH with new low density units they don't get that hot ever, often capping at 100ºF with a glass tank that likely translate to a little hot inside. This is the first line of safety. A good stat is the second, all stats can fail, especially proportional units that actually are fairly sensitive to power issues. (spikes and 'dirty' power) a high quality power bar intended for sensitive computer things can help. I would recommend •highly• the herpstats with the 'safety relay' this if the unit fails causes a shut down of power, rather than most proportional stats that usually fail powered up 100%. This is the second line of safety. The third if you still feel leery of it is a fail safe stat. It catches everything else. With the relay it is maybe not needed, with out one I would recommend it.

Hosted on Fotki

[NimbusPrime]

Thank you all so much guys! Looks like its time to upgrade to a decent thermostat Thanks again!!