Which thermostat would best suite my needs?

[Edwardein]

Hello,

I am working on getting a rack system set up for my growing collection of ball pythons to help with space (Having them all in tanks is starting to get a little overwhelming! Mostly due to my red tail's enclosure taking up a lot of space). I've been doing some research into thermostats and what UTH to use with it. Right now I only have 4 ball pythons but I do plan on getting more in January and breeding the ones I currently have. I will be housing the babies in the rack as well. I understand that this will be an investment and I may need to throw down a good amount of cash for a good one. It doesn't need to be the best thing on the market as I am just starting out as a hobby breeder. The things I am looking for in a thermostat:

1. Fail safes that will cause it to either turn off or fail towards a cooler temperature in case it does fail. (Safety is key to me when it comes to my animals!
2. Consistent heating throughout the rack system.
3. Ability to adjust for day and night cycles. (not 100% necessary but I've read that it can help when it comes to breeding.)

So what thermostat would you recommend and what UTH source would you pair with it?

[Eric Alan]

For a rack system: Herpstat + THG Heat Tape

EDIT: Many racks will come with heat tape. Pair one if those with a Herpstat and you're set too.

[frostysBP]

The best herpstat all the way with heat tape and I would go with the best one one you can afford remember that a herp4 can run multiple racks at different temps

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[BCS]

Heat tape is a great way to heat individual tubs, they a slim and flexible and can be cut to you desired length then wired together so you only have one plug-in end instead of multiple. The two most common brands of heat tape are Flexwatt and THG.

I personally use and LOVE herpstats. I have three racks running off a single herpstat. They are a bit expensive but worth it in the end for your snakes safety. Herpstats have fail safes (model intro+ and up), night time and day time cycles, and uses a certain amount of power from 1%-100% to heat the heat tape to your desired temperature. Right now, in order to maintain 91F on Rack #1, the herpstat is applying 28% power to maintain that temperature.

[Casey Hulse]

Herpstat for sure.
Remember that the thermostat will keep the temp. at the probe at your set point, it will NOT
2. Consistent heating throughout the rack system

This has to do with rack design etc...
You may find it necessary to "tweek" the rack. Most of my racks have some additional insulation added to the back of the bottom few tubs, I also keep an overhead fan on low 24/7. good luck!

[Edwardein]

Thank you everyone for the advice! I think for starting out a herpstat 1 would work perfectly for me. Since you can only plug one probe into it where would the best placement be for my probe? Also could one of these (or even better a herpstat 2 to add humidity control) work for homemade incubator? (I'm currently going to be making one out of a wine cooler fridge I found on craigslist).

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Herpstat 1 , I am a big believer in one rack 1 thermostat, this way if the T-stat should fail only one rack would be in jeopardy.

Not likely to happen but I like to plan for the worse.

[frostysBP]

I run a herp intro on my incubator

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[Philip451]

Herpstat.
all of my racks.

Pay a little more, your noodly friends are worth it.